While President Barack Obama declared today that he wants health care reform accomplished “now,” House Democratic leaders say they may not vote on such a plan before the August recess, instead setting their sites on late September. The House Energy and Commerce Committee has scrapped Tuesdays’ drafting session for the massive health care reform bill winding through the chamber. Instead, members of the panel will head to the White House to meet with President Obama, who is trying to convince moderate Democrats to back the measure. Fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dogs as well as swing state freshmen Democrats, are complaining that the bill is too expensive and increases taxes and their opposition could be enough to block the bill from clearing Energy and Commerce. The committee is scheduled to continue its drafting sessions on Wednesday, according to the posted schedule, and perhaps depending on whether Obama can broker some kind of deal today.
