House Democrats Promise to Take Up Healthcare Reform by July 31st
After meeting with President Obama this morning, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced her intention to begin debate on healthcare reform before Congress adjourns for the August recess.
From the Associated Press:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday that her chamber would have a sweeping health care bill on the floor by the end of July, an announcement that President Barack Obama hailed.
… Pelosi, D-Calif., and other House Democrats had met with Obama and Vice President Joe Biden in the Oval Office just before going outside to make their announcement. No Republicans were present, and neither were any senators.
"We promised him that we will have this important legislation on the floor of the House before the August break," Pelosi announced. "Our goal is to have a healthier America."
Neither the speaker nor the president offered details of how the legislation will look, the subject of ongoing debate on Capitol Hill. The White House is remaining mostly quiet as proposals emerge for discussion among lawmakers, preferring to let Congress come up with a plan and engage more on the specifics later on.
President Obama was on hand for the announcement, and he commended House Democrats for their sense of urgency in addressing healthcare reform. The President also reiterated his commitment to "healthcare reform that’s going to bring down costs for families, improve quality, affordability, accessibility for all Americans."
With debate on the specifics of healthcare reform set to begin soon, it is more important than ever to make clear to legislators how important this issue is to everyday Americans. If you haven’t already done so, take a moment to sign a declaration of support urging Congress to follow President Obama’s core principles for health care reform — and to enact real healthcare reform before the end of this year.
