Obama Plans Health Care Pep-Talk to House Democrats

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=cqmidday-000003241870

Obama Plans Health Care Pep-Talk to House Democrats


President Obama will travel to the Capitol on Friday morning to meet behind closed doors with House Democrats, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi denied Thursday that the visit means Democrats’ health care legislation is in trouble.

“If he were not coming, you would ask why is he not coming,” Pelosi, D-Calif., said of Obama’s visit, which will come one day before the House plans to vote on the sweeping health care overhaul bill.

Obama is scheduled to talk to the House Democrats at 10:30 a.m. Friday.

On Thursday, the president was to meet in the afternoon with leading members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus — Democrats Xavier Becerra and Lucille Roybal-Allard of California, Charlie Gonzalez of Texas, and Nydia M. Velázquez of New York.

Asked if she has the 218 needed votes among Democrats to adopt the rule for considering the bill and to pass the actual legislation, Pelosi said, “We will have 218.” Republicans are expected to stand united in opposition.

Pelosi and her leadership team are whipping for votes in their caucus, dealing with last-minute controversies over such issues as abortion language and what rights illegal immigrants would have under the bill to get health insurance, even policies they buy without using public funds.

Pelosi would not comment on what amendments would be allowed to come to the floor Friday, deflecting questions about anti-abortion language and other issues.

kr

:hi:

;)

:o

because he is owned by the insurance companies. I know this cuz I read it on DU!