President Obama Holds ‘Secret’ Saturday Meeting With House Democrats; Health Care Vote Looms (WATCH LIVE!)

by Joe Coscarelli | 1:39 pm, November 7th, 2009

chamber “We feel that we’re about to do today something that’s been attempted now for almost 100 years,” House Majority Whip James Clyburn told reporters after what he called an “uplifting” meeting between Congressional Democrats and the president. Though CNN referred to the contents of the meeting as “secret,” one thing’s for sure: Democrats can practically taste health care reform — in whatever form it takes today.

“We are on the cusp of making a historical decision on behalf of the American people,” Clyburn continued, praising the “tremendous and visionary” leadership of Speak of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Rep. Pelosi took over to announce the looming vote and celebrate the third anniversary of Democrats taking over the House and Senate in 2006, invoking the name of Senator Ted Kennedy. This is the culmination of their promises, said Pelosi. President Obama will be speaking from the Rose Garden at 2:30 pmET. We’ll have updates as they come.

Here’s the entirety of the announcement from CNN, also featuring Rep. Steny Hoyer and Rep. Don Larsen:

UPDATE: You can watch the Congressional debate live using this link from BNONews.com.

(h/t Anthony De Rosa)

share this post

filed under

CNN, Don Larsen, Health Care Reform, James Clyburn, Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, Ted Kennedy

7 comments

Sunnyr says:

November 7, 2009 at 5:55 pm

This bill should be called “OBAMA’S REDISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH AND BIG UNION PAY-OFF BILL.” It has NOTHING to do with true health care reform and is just a greedy grab to control almost 20% our our nation’s economy. There are BILLIONS of dollars to be scammed by corrupt politicians and Union Thugs and with 30 Congressional politicians (27 DEMS) now under investigation for Corruption, why would anyone with a grain of intelligence think they would not steal the taxpayers blind, while delivering substandard care to every person in America? THEY get to keep their gold cadillac coverage! Parasites! This bill must be killed in the Senate and it will be. Obummer and Company will be HISTORY in 2012!

kimtaylor says:

November 8, 2009 at 4:01 am

Spoken like a true hard core conservative – just more rhetoric of “like it or leave it.” The majority has spoken and guess what – we didn’t like it and we’re not leaving it. OUR country is worth voting for A change. YES WE DID!

kamera stative

bobofthemtns says:

November 8, 2009 at 8:24 am

I’m up for hip replacement surgery in January and I filed with my health insurance provider (the same one I’ve had for 10+ years) to get it approved. The BEST I could get from them was a letter that said that my surgery was approved but “in no way does this guarantee payment”. Huh? What? So when it comes time for them to pay, they dont have to. And this is legal? The government currently approves of these methods? And we dont need health care reform? Are you a pharking idiot?

Sunnyr says:

November 8, 2009 at 2:44 pm

“OUR country is worth voting for A change. YES WE DID”!

Pfft!! This piece of garbage has ZERO chances of passing the Senate. What Obummer will get will be a watered down version of Health Care Reform, WITH NO PUBLIC OPTION.

Sunnyr says:

November 8, 2009 at 2:47 pm

“The government currently approves of these methods? And we dont need health care reform? Are you a pharking idiot?”

Who the hell said we don’t need Health Care REFORM? We do need it but what just passed the HOUSE has nothing to do with true reform. Are you a pharking moron?

raveybaby says:

November 8, 2009 at 2:49 pm

At least your insurance company said you could have your surgery. Wait until you get the government deciding that you can’t have it. Or at best, you’ll get it approved but having to wait one year and then having it done cheaply to save money. Don’t people realize that the government is going to be deciding if and when you and your families are going to even get surgery. The government will OWN your body.

ImNotBlue says:

November 9, 2009 at 1:26 am

bobofthemtns says:
November 8, 2009 at 8:24 am

1) Nobody is saying that healthcare reform isn’t needed… the debate is over a government takeover of the healthcare business.

2) If you think this bill will help, I hope you’re willing to like your hip for another 3-4 years… you know, until the bill actually goes into effect, after the 2012 election.

Sunnyr says:
November 8, 2009 at 2:44 pm

Ignore kimtaylor… they’re not real posters. Anyone who posts a link at the bottom of their comment is an advertising drone, hoping to get someone to click over to the site. It’s fake. That’s why so many start with, “This site is so great… your post was lovely” (the lovely part was my favorite one). Their comments are meaningless, just a ploy… just ignore.

If you would like to comment, please login or register:

» Login » Register

» Or connect with your Facebook account:

Rahm Emanuel Thinks Washington Is Working Just Fine

by Glynnis MacNicol | 8:50 pm, Sunday

video

60 Minutes aired tonight what feels like the kajillionth interview/profile of White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. Boy does he look tired. Perhaps the most interesting thing to come from the spot, especially in light of today's epic vote on health care reform, is that Rahm thinks that Washington is working just fine. For real.

» more inside

Bart Stupak Will Vote Yes On Health Care: “Real Winners Are The American People”

by Drew Grant | 4:24 pm, Sunday

video

This is the game-changer, folks: Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak held a press conference at 4 p.m. today saying he's voting yes on the House health care bill, with President Barack Obama signing an executive order that places restrictions on federal funding that can go to abortions in order to get the necessary voting bloc that Stupak brings to the table.

» 33 comments

More TV headlines: