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Democrats expected to vote on health care bill Saturday
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Rep. Michelle addresses a crowd protesting health care while Rep. Steve King holds up the bill
Despite the large crowds of Americans who arrived at Capitol Hill on Thursday to protest the government run health care bill, democrats still intend to push for a Saturday vote on the monstrosity. Speaker Nancy Pelosi claimed that they would have the votes to pass the bill by Saturday. Mike Soraghan, writer for The Hill, interpreted Pelosi's statement thus: "[Her] statement...is a tacit acknowledgement that she doesn’t have them yet." House Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer is not so confident of the bill's passage. "We certainly have well over 218 people who say they want to vote for the bill," Hoyer acknowleged. "I wouldn't refer to it as a squeaker, but I think it's going to be close. This is a huge undertaking."
If the Speaker does lack the votes, perhaps this is the real reason behind President Obama's scheduled visit to the House of Representatives today. Pelosi brushed off such speculation when presented, however, and responded, "We are thrilled that he is coming tomorrow, and we can have our conversation before we go into the process of bringing this legislation to the floor," she told reporters.
Yet if democrats already have the votes to pass this bill, why does President Obama need to visit the House for a conversation at all? President Obama has demonstrated numerous times that he would like this plan to go through as soon as possible. Why must he present himself before the House so close to projected voting day? Pelosi doth protest too much. President Obama's visit to the House is nothing more than another stop in his endless campaign to push his agenda on the American people. Americans can only hope that his visit has the same effects that it did in the recent New Jersey gubernatorial election.
The recent 2009 elections, however, may effect the voting process for the healthcare bill. Pelosi now has two more democrats to count on: Former California Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, sworn into his congressional seat on Thursday, and Bill Owens of New York, who is scheduled to be sworn into congress today.
Yet the bill's fate may hinge on the issue of abortion. Despite Pelosi's numerous claims that far left democrats are seeking to reconcile differences about abortion with pro-life democrats, the proof remains to be seen. Can the Speaker rally doubting democrats and quell their reservations about taxpayer funded abortion in time for a Saturday vote on the health care bill? The American Center for Law and Justice has documented the many language problems regarding abortion as it is mentioned in the health care bill, including taxpayer funding of the controversial issue. The ACLJ has reported on numerous occasions during its Jay Sekulow Live show that 41 democrats stand in opposition to taxpayer funded abortion. These 41 democrats reportedly refuse to vote for the bill unless a vote is brought to the floor of the House allowing amendments for conscience rights to be voted on. Such rights would protect doctors and other health care professionals from being forced to perform abortions, or fired and penalized for refusing to participate in any abortion procedure.
Pelosi stated that no decisions have been made on whether to allow any amendments to the floor, beyond a vote on the Republicans' $61 billion alternative. She deemed the republican plan “scandalous” because it does not force insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions--a move that would necessarily raise insurance premiums tremendously. That sounded rather like a "no" for allowing the republican proposal to be examined and voted upon, Nancy. Republicans have been shut out of the health care debate yet again. Just like Congress and President Obama have continually shut out the American people throughout the health care debate.
Americans must refuse to let the government shut them out on this issue. The vote may happen tomorrow. Citizens must contact Congress today and let them know that their voices will be heard!
For more information, please visit:
Pelosi: 'We will' have the votes to pass health care bill by Saturday
Obama welcomes AARP backing of health care bill
In Pictures: 'Congress Health Care Protest
No Deal: Pro-Life Democrat Still Vowing to Kill Healthcare Bill
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