WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she lacks the votes to push the Senate's sweeping health overhaul bill through the House, a potentially devastating blow to President Barack Obama's signature issue.
The California Democrat made the comment to reporters Thursday after House Democrats held a closed-door meeting at which participants vented frustration with the massive version of the legislation.
Pelosi said, "In its present form without any changes I don't think it's possible to pass the Senate bill in the House. ... I don't see the votes for it at this time." Many House Democrats, reeling from their loss of the Massachusetts Senate seat in this week's special election, want the party to pursue a more modest health bill.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Support for a White House-backed plan for salvaging the massive health care overhaul is eroding in the House as Democrats reeling from the loss of the Massachusetts Senate seat argue for a less ambitious approach.
The House leadership has made no decision on whether to press ahead with the Senate bill, but rank-and-file Democrats vented their frustration at a closed-door meeting Thursday. Emerging from the session, Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-N.Y., said: "The mega bills are dead. If we didn't see what happened Tuesday night, we have blinkers on."
Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Calif., said there was more support for refocusing on the health care changes with more popular appeal among American consumers. Republican Scott Brown captured the Massachusetts Senate seat, disrupting the Senate's power to move quickly on health care.
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