Leading Democrats confident they have the votes on healthcare

The Hill ^ | March 3, 2010 | Michael O'Brien

[jazusamo]

Top Democrats expressed confidence on Wednesday that they have the votes to move forward with healthcare legislation.

Three members of the House Democratic leadership sent signals that they now believe they have rounded up enough votes to move forward on a healthcare bill.

"I think we have the votes for the Democrats to move this agenda forward and have had for some time," House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson (D-Conn.), the fourth-ranking Democrat, said during an appearance on Fox News.

The confident projections come as President Barack Obama rolls out his own healthcare plan this afternoon, which is expected to move the months-long health reform battle forward.

Democrats in Congress are expected to pass the Senate's healthcare bill and pass a series of fixes to that legislation using the budget reconciliation process, which allows the Senate to pass a bill with only a simple majority of votes, instead of the 60 votes usually needed to end a filibuster.

"I believe we do," Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and fifth-ranking House Democrat, said Wednesday morning on MSNBC when asked if the majority had the votes to pass the Senate bill, with the understanding that fixes would be made.

Van Hollen cautioned though that a formal whip count hasn't been conducted, pending the release of the president's own bill.

"We haven't done a whip count because we still don't have the final legislative language," he said. "And I think it's only fair to our colleagues that they have an opportunity to see the bills."

Democrats' chief vote-counter, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), stopped short of saying how many votes Democrats have on Wednesday morning, but said the majority is in "good shape" when it comes to their vote count.

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House and Senate Republicans have downplayed reports that Democrats may have the votes, with House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) having released a memo last week outlining GOP math on the health bill.

The Senate's fourth-ranking Republican also said he's not confident Democrats will having the votes, while pledging GOP efforts to slow or halt the legislation.

"You know, I don't want to concede that it's going to pass for sure yet," Republican Policy Committee Chairman John Thune (S.D.) said. "I still think that there's a lot of clock left in this game."

[b4its2late]

Kamikaze’s.

[Dewey Revoltnow]

Then vote damnit and lets get this armed revolution rolling already!

[equalitybeforethelaw]

Once again they are confidant. Geez, Gibbels and the propoganda is getting annoying and embarassing. Its like hearing winning reports from Stalingrad - shoosh.

[Grunthor]

“Leading Democrats confident they have the votes on healthcare”

Then schedule the damned votes chickens**t.

[jazusamo]

Yep, if they go ahead with it it’ll be a Kamikaze vote and many know it.

[TChris]

Democrats have loaded the gun and placed it to their heads. All that's left to complete the political suicide is to pull the trigger.

"We'll defy the explicit will of 75% of the electorate because, you know, we love democracy."

Astounding.

[Suz in AZ]

Yeah, yeah. They had them last year, too. Blah, blah blah.

[KansasGirl]

God help us all. These bastards are going to destroy the country with a smile.

[Adder]

Gibbels:

LOL

Or Baghdad Bob..

[jazusamo]

Well said and so astounding I won’t believe it til I see it.

[Jim Noble]

"And I think it's only fair to our colleagues that they have an opportunity to see the bills."

Mighty generous of you, comrade.

[MrChips]

Don’t start the revolution without me!

[ncalburt]

The Hill breathlessly peddling the latest FAX from Pelosi /Reid/ Marxist .

Every day its been drip, drip, drip from the Obama state outlets like the Hill, AP,Politico, Wash Compost, NY Slimes.

Keep trying to build phony momentum !

Please note the term “NUCLEAR OPTION “ no longer exists for the State Media !

[b4its2late]

I know. It’s reconciliation.

[jazusamo]

"And I think it's only fair to our colleagues that they have an opportunity to see the bills."

Unbelievable that the day has come that a US Congressman would even think of saying that.

[Chaos]

Forget investing in Gold and Silver. Everybody quick invest in the best stock on the market right now, KY Lube.

They are going to ram this crap up our a$$e$ so best be prepared.

Disclaimer: No I do not work for KY I just want to make it easier for when that huge (behemoth) Christmas tree with a million shattered glass ornaments that the MAJORITY of the American people do NOT want is rammed up our a$$.

[GloriaJane]

[jazusamo]

Good one! That’s where it’s at.

[moose2004]

“Democrats’ chief vote-counter, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), stopped short of saying how many votes Democrats have on Wednesday morning, but said the majority is in “good shape” when it comes to their vote count.”

Translated: “I don’t have the votes yet.”