Posted on 11/07/2009 4:38:15 PM PST by Sub-Driver
Sources: Pelosi, Dems lock up 218
By PATRICK O'CONNOR & JOHN BRESNAHAN & JONATHAN ALLEN | 11/7/09 7:16 PM EST
POLITICO 44
Hours before an expected vote on a sweeping health care bill, House Democrats believe they've secured the 218 votes they need to approve the bill, several party insiders said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took to the House floor about 6:30 p.m. to say, “Today we will pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act.. . .We will make history. We will also make progress for America's working families."
In response to a question about whether the bill would pass when she brought it up, Pelosi told reporters Saturday night, "That is our expectation."
Thirty-two Democrats have publicly declared their opposition to the bill, giving party leaders the narrowest possible margin to push the bill across the finish line. But numerous sources said Democrats believe they do have the votes after a day of intense lobbying of wavering Democrats.
Votes have a tendency to shift in the final hours before a controversial vote, but party leaders were expressing more genuine confidence as the sun set over the Capitol than they had exhibited all week. Word started spreading around 5 p.m. that leaders had the votes they needed to pass the $1.2 trillion bill.
Pelosi had all-but-predicted passage of a House health reform bill earlier Saturday, following an emotional appeal from President Barack Obama to fellow Democrats urging them to “answer the call of history” and vote yes.
But she and her top lieutenants earlier stopped short of saying they had the 218 votes needed for passage – signaling a day of vote-wrangling and arm-twisting that could stretch into Saturday night.
And Pelosi spokesman Nadeam Elshami declined to comment. “We are not commenting on whip counts,” Elshami said.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
So the guy pulled out some emotion for this thing? I wonder what that looked like. Anyone have a picture?
If this be war then let it begin now in my time. Let not the burden fall on my grandchildren.
If she doesn’t have the votes now, why are they there tonight?
Those remaining 7 votes must be going under TREMENDOUS water torturing under Pelosi.
Republicans are too stupid to realize stupak is a trap.
PRIMARIES MATTER FOLKS.
FORCE THOSE ANOINTED BY THE GOP ALLEGED LEADERS to have their RINO statements on the record.
Why the call for a vote at midnight? They cannot sweep their votes under a rug - I wish someone in the halls of Congress would go to an electrical outlet source and pull ALL the plugs and break a water pipe and flood the building. Atleast that would buy more time for those on the fence to think more about the disastrous effects this bill will have upon America!
....which would be far more maddening than the real 'rat who was elected doing the same thing....
Hopefully there will be an organized challenge in the courts if the bill passes. The Supreme Court needs to rule on its constitutionality.
Republicans should walk off the House floor during the vote to protest this charade and to let the few remaining moderate democrats know that they will surely hang together with Polosi and her ilk.
That we have become such a country that could elect a majority that would pass legislation that threatens our very liberty sickens me.
Mark my word, this day will be remebered. And every election outcome will be determined by two three votes -- Did you vote for TARP? Did you vote for the bailout? And did you vote for the Pelosi healthcare bill.
A vote for any one of these pieces of garbage wii be automtic exclusion from office.
Republicans should walk off the House floor during the vote to protest this charade and to let the few remaining moderate democrats know that they will surely hang together with Polosi and her ilk.
That we have become such a country that could elect a majority that would pass legislation that threatens our very liberty sickens me.
Mark my word, this day will be remebered. And every election outcome will be determined by two three votes -- Did you vote for TARP? Did you vote for the bailout? And did you vote for the Pelosi healthcare bill.
A vote for any one of these pieces of garbage wii be automtic exclusion from office.
They don’t care. They will simply print more money and charge more debt to unborn generations.
Ya, remember on the Cap and Trade vote, there were 8 Republicans who voted for it.
If any Republicans break ranks on this, then it will pass.
Republicans should vote not on Stupak.
communists.
You assume there will be elections.
I can hear the news now; “Due to the emergency situation will are foregoing the elections and save money to help the poor sick children. Besides, we need those who are now in office to continue to serve because they know what is going on.”
I agree & I’m thankful that I have a congress women who will be voting no on this stupid health care mess- Ginny Brown-Waite.
Agreed.
If it’s Politico it is propoganda.
Constitutionality doesn’t matter anymore, not when it comes to the enumeration of powers, or the system of checks and balances.
Which one of the 18 ENUMERATED powers given to congress gives them the RIGHT to do this?
Hint: THERE ISN’T ONE! This is a power reserved for THE STATES ALONE.
This is unconstitutional.
Couple of things.
If the folks in govt think we HATE them now, just wait.
WHEN, not IF , violence occurs it will be on the hands of those who voted for socialism.
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