photo: Leo Reynolds via Flickr
While we’re waiting on Bart Stupak, the only remaining obstacle, a couple updates:
Bill Foster will vote yes.
“After thorough consideration, I have decided to support the health insurance reform legislation because it eliminates pre-existing conditions, protects and strengthens Medicare and will significantly reduce the deficit by $1.3 trillion over 20 years. While the Senate bill itself is not perfect, many important improvements have been made so that the overall package is one that I can support.”
John Tanner will vote no.
“The reconciliation bill the House is being asked to consider is a tribute to the legislative process, because it has improved the Senate bill and the House bill. For these improvements, I commend the White House and House leaders for bringing this bill toward the center, where the vast majority of Americans find themselves aligned ideologically.
“After thorough and careful review of the legislation, I am unconvinced that the long-term trend of rising health care costs is adequately addressed and am therefore unable to support the legislation.”
That puts us at 208-208. It really comes down to the Stupak bloc.
UPDATE: Lincoln Davis, who voted no last time, is also reportedly a No. That would make it 208-209 with 5 true undecideds. That makes the Stupak bloc, as ever, determinative.
Numbers after the jump…
Tags: Bart Supak, Bill Foster, Health care, John Tanner, whip count
