The House approved the rule governing debate of the big health care legislation by a vote of 242 to 192, suggesting but not guaranteeing, that Democrats would have the votes to pass the bill itself later on Saturday.
The House adopted the rule by a vote of 242 to 192, with 15 Democrats joining all 177 Republicans in opposition. One Democrat did not vote.
As a result the Democrats seemed to have a comfortable margin, with 24 more yes votes than they need for final passage of the bill.
The speaker pro tempore, Representative John D. Dingell, Democrat of Michigan, announced the tally.
The Democrats currently control 258 of 435 seats in the House, and with 218 votes needed to approve the bill, they can afford to lose 40 of their own caucus members and still win passage.
A final vote is expected on Saturday evening, but the process could take longer.
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/07/house-jumps-one-hurdle/?hp
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From: current.com
According to the AP, Hoyer said he still expects passage by late Saturday night. It seems that the Democrats have to finish some language in the bill regarding abortion funding and illegal immigrants buying HCR (as it stands they can buy private health insurance so some say they should be able to buy public insurance.) In addition it seems they're only a few votes short. President Obama is going to talk to the Democratic Caucus tomorrow and will work to solidify support for the bill.
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