Politico.com
Hours before an expected vote on a sweeping health care bill,House Democrats believe they’ve secured the 218 votes they need to approve the bill,several party insiders said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took to the House floor about 6:30 p.m. to say,“Today we will pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act… We will make history. We will also make progress for America’s working families.”
In response to a question about whether the bill would pass when she brought it up,Pelosi told reporters Saturday night,“That is our expectation.”
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio),also on the House floor,called the requirement that individuals purchase insure “the most unconstitutional thing I’ve seen in my life.”
Thirty-four Democrats have publicly declared their opposition to the bill,giving party leaders the narrowest possible margin to push the bill across the finish line. But numerous sources said Democrats believe they do have the votes after a day of intense lobbying of wavering Democrats.