House Dems Lack Votes for Health Care

After several months, is the House of Representatives finally ready to pass health-care reform? A vote is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday, but House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is warning that it could be pushed back, saying that they do not yet have the 218 Democratic votes needed to pass the bill. “We’re very close,” Hoyer said. If it does not pass Saturday night, the House would reconvene Sunday at noon. Monday and Tuesday are also “available,” Hoyer said. According to The Hill, the biggest hangup is illegal immigration. A last-minute threat within the Democratic Caucus to bolster immigration restrictions in the bill has congressional Hispanics threatening to vote against it.