Dems: Leadership Is Telling Members They Have The Votes--But Abortion Still Threatens The Bill - TPM

[WillyT]

Dems: Leadership Is Telling Members They Have The Votes--But Abortion Still Threatens The Bill
Brian Beutler | March 21, 2010, 3:09PM

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Democrats have been told by party leaders in the House that they have the votes to pass health care reform, according to multiple sources.

"I understand that they may have the votes now," Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), who added that he was informed of this by a reliable member of leadership. "It won't be long before we're able to take a vote."

His account is confirmed by a Democratic aide, who tells TPM that, as of this morning, leadership had apprised members that they had at least 217 votes--the minimum number of "yes" votes they want to pass the bill by.

Complicating the leadership's account, of course, is that there's still no agreed-upon way around the abortion impasse. The White House is acting in the role of shuttle diplomat between pro-choice and anti-abortion Democrats over the precise wording of an executive order, which President Obama would issue upon signing the health care bill tonight. But neither side has agreed to the White House's proposed language.

Just off the House floor this afternoon, Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO)--leader of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus--told reporters "the White House showed us and Mr. Stupak's people a draft at the same time," while the two factions sat in separate rooms in the Speaker's office this morning.

The White House has taken comments from both sides on that initial language and will present them a final version later today.

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Link: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/03/dems-leadership-is-telling-members-they-have-the-votes--but-abortion-still-threatens-the-bill.php

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