Saturday 07 November 2009

House Democratic leaders met with health care reform opponents within their party to strike a compromise to insure passage of the bill.  According to Alex Wayne, Congressional Quarterly:

"Late Friday, apparently still short of the votes needed to ensure the bill‘s passage, the leaders signaled the Rules Committee to permit a vote on an amendment from anti-abortion Democrats that would put additional restrictions on federal funding of abortions through insurance plans. Unless Democratic supporters of abortion rights revolt — or Republicans withhold their support for tactical reasons — adoption of that amendment could well produce the needed additional votes for passage of the legislation....

"The amendment will be one of only two permitted after the House conducts four hours of general debate and after House Democrats caucus with President Obama. The other amendment will be a GOP substitute. Republicans will also have the opportunity to try to attract Democratic votes and change the bill through a recommital motion....

"As of late Friday, at least 20 House Democrats had indicated in interviews and public statements that they plan to vote against the legislation (HR 3962). Twenty “no” votes would leave the Democrats with a pool of 238 potential votes for the measure, or just 20 more than the 218 needed to guarantee passage. No Republican support for the legislation is expected."

In a statement made Friday, President Obama stated that he fully supports the House bill with a "public option" and will meet with members of the House to make a final push for the legislation today.

Click here to read more.

-Victoria Harper