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Pelosi says she has the votes to pass health care
By: Susan Ferrechio
Chief Congressional Correspondent
07/22/09 4:36 PM EDT
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Wednesday she has "no question" that she has enough votes to pass the $1 trillion health care reform bill in the House, suggesting that she has quelled opposition from conservative Democrats and freshmen over the cost and scope of the bill.
Pelosi made the announcement as House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman D-Calif., suspended his panel's work on the bill while he tries to win the support of the centrists who he met with privately on Wednesday.
Pelosi and Waxman have agreed to a plan to help cut the cost of the program by giving additional powers to an independent agency that sets Medicare payment rates.
But that concession still does not guarantee that they can convert enough Democratic opponents to help push the bill out of Waxman's committee and ensure final passage on the House floor.
Pelosi told reporters she plans to put the bill on the floor for a vote next week, which is the last week Congress is in session before the scheduled start of the month-long August recess. She would not rule out keeping the House in session after next week if needed to get the bill passed.
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