WASHINGTON – Bracing for an August showdown over health care reform, Senate Democrats and President Barack Obama declared themselves united Tuesday on their determination to enact a historic overhaul this year – ideally with Republican cooperation b
WASHINGTON – Bracing for an August showdown over health care reform, Senate Democrats and President Barack Obama declared themselves united Tuesday on their determination to enact a historic overhaul this year – ideally with Republican cooperation but without if necessary.
With his top domestic priority hanging in the balance, Obama summoned Senate Democrats to the White House for a luncheon cheerleading session on health care and other pending issues.
Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who is leading bipartisan compromise talks on health care, said Obama told the senators he prefers a bill with support from both parties. But the president also said, "it may get to a point where we … go in a different direction," Baucus added, referring to the possibility of a measure drafted to Democratic specifications.
Other Democrats said Obama mentioned no specific deadline for success in the bipartisan negotiations, and did not endorse a Sept. 15 date that officials have said Baucus declared last week. The Finance Committee chairman is under pressure from the White House as well as fellow Democrats to produce an agreement quickly.
House members left last week for their August recess, and senators follow this week. The lengthy recess, which finds lawmakers back home in their districts listening to constituents, could become a turning point in the divisive debate over the sweeping health care overhaul that Obama wants.
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In photo: President Barack Obama speaks at Monaco RV manufacturing in Wakarusa, Ind. Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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