Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels is joining fellow Republicans in slamming a U.S. Senate health care proposal as the legislation moves toward a final vote Christmas Eve.

Daniels says he's "discouraged that such a backwards, anti-taxpayer disaster of a bill is this close to passage." The Republican governor also says he hopes "that somehow, the public will be heard before our nation makes such a terrible mistake."

The Senate's 58 Democrats and two independents held together in a crucial vote early Monday against unanimous Republican opposition.

Republicans have ramped up their criticism of the bill, denouncing the last-minute deals and concessions needed to get the 60 votes needed to overcome GOP tactics.