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House Democrats say vote on health care may slip

By The Associated Press

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WASHINGTON — House Democrats acknowledged they don’t yet have the votes to pass an overhaul of the nation’s health care system, and signaled they may push back the vote until Sunday or early next week.

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told reporters in a conference call Friday that the make-or-break vote on President Barack Obama’s top priority that had been set for Saturday could face delay.

The apparent problem: Democrats have yet to resolve intraparty disputes over abortion funding and illegal aliens’ access to health care.

Hoyer sought to pin the blame for any possible slippage on delaying tactics expected from Republicans, who unanimously oppose the health care remake. But he acknowledged that Democrats are still short of the 218 votes they need to pass the bill.

“There are many people who are still trying to get a comfort level that this is the right thing to do,” said Hoyer. “We’re very close.”

While Hoyer said he still expects a vote Saturday evening, he said he has put lawmakers on notice they may be called to the House floor Sunday afternoon, or even Monday or Tuesday.

Action on health legislation was slowed as senators waited for the Congressional Budget Office to weigh in on a bill written by Majority Leader Harry Reid in consultation with the White House and key committee chairmen. Senate votes could slip until next year, but in the House Democratic leaders pressed forward.

Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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This article was published November 6, 2009 at 11:32 a.m.

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william.e.ellington_uscg.mil says...

The Constitution of the United States
Preamble
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the
general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do
ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

No where does it state in the Constitution that we are to have health care from the federal government.

November 6, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Ran2133 says...

Congressmen Berry, Snyder, Ross and Boozman remember your oath to "support" the Constitution and vote against this unconstitutional bill. We will be watching your vote and remember, there is an election next year!

November 6, 2009 at 1:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

lyonap says...

I agree, I understand where politicians are coming from on this. But in the end someone's going to be paying for it. I would much rather see reforms on health care costs in general, so that when poor people much like myself, who do not have insurance are in need of going to the doctor or getting some simple medicines, it doesn't cost thousands of dollars. As I write this I am troubled with the fact that while I am waiting for my insurance through my work to kick in (Dec 1st) I am faced with yet another kidney infection, pretty common for me, but I know that if I don't start on antibiotics with a week or so I am going to be back in the hospital. Now I really love Wal-Marts $4 scripts and I think Walgreens is coming out with something similar, but who's out there to write this script without charging me hundreds??

November 6, 2009 at 3:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kcjenkins says...

There are so many things wrong with this monstrosity of a bill that it's impossible to pick just one or two. No bill should ever be over 500 pages. They need to trash this one, then start over with a bill that just works first on fixing the known problems like allowing us to buy from any company, and to buy lower cost catastrophic coverage if we feel we don't need a 'total coverage' package. Strangely, this current Pelosi bill actually outlaws current plans of that type. I will never vote for or support anyone who votes for this bill.

November 6, 2009 at 7:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

kaymar says...

Chicago thugs working hard! Monday they will likely consider water boarding the Representives to get their Yes vote.

November 7, 2009 at 7:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

JSanders says...

Kaymar, I think you have your sides confused.

November 8, 2009 at 1:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

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