November 7, 2009
Posted: November 7th, 2009 10:17 PM ET
As night fell on the Capitol Saturday, some key Democrats were still undecided about the House health care reform bill backed by their party's leadership.
As night fell on the Capitol Saturday, some key Democrats were still undecided about the House health care reform bill backed by their party's leadership.

Washington (CNN) - In the final hours before the House was set to vote on a sweeping health reform bill, indications were that the vote could come down to the wire.

House Democrats needed 218 votes to pass the health care bill. Without any Republican support, that meant Democrats can lose no more than 40 of their own members. And as the House appeared to near a vote late Saturday night, CNN confirmed at least 35 Democrats planned to vote no. Another dozen or so had not made public commitments or were undecided.

In other words, if no Republicans voted yes, Democrats could afford to lose only five more members of their 258-member caucus on the issue.

As late as 8:30 p.m. ET, some key Democrats were still undecided.

Full story

Filed under: Democrats • Health care • House


Matt   November 8th, 2009 2:14 am ET

Why the rush? Because it is a horrible bill. If people read it, they'll know.

Pelosi and Obama are crooks.

D. Tree   November 8th, 2009 1:51 am ET

Finally Congress is getting something done. Now let's reform our energy future! It feels good having people in Congress who are actually DOING something, unlike the do-nothing Republicans who had power for 15 years and did nothing!

tonyt   November 8th, 2009 12:03 am ET

Hey GOP/Haters The Last Health Care Reform This Country Had Was In Mid-1960's, 30+ years ago! If The GOP Thinks This Is Just Paper, Then Truly They Can't SeeThe Forest For The Trees!

This Is Not About Paper!

Charlie Brown   November 7th, 2009 11:47 pm ET

It passed!!! Hooray!!!

Ron   November 7th, 2009 11:35 pm ET

Let's not allow the CNN correspondents and their GOP spokemen to mischaracterize the town hall meetings as a grass roots protest against healthcare reform. Protests at the town hall meetings were organized by the GOP, and were a minority of those attending. Yet the media gave those coached protesters a great deal of air time as if they were the rule rather than the exception.

Even now, you continue to refer to those town hall meetings as evidence that Americans are against healthcare reform – which is simply not true. Less than 25% of Americans now identify themselves as Republicans. A majority of Americans put Pres. Obama in office, and a majority of Americans repeatedly have said that healthcare reform is imperative. Those Americans who oppose healthcare should be asked in a poll about where they get their news. I believe you'll find (and this would be a good story) that those who are avid viewers of Fox News will be vehemently against healthcare reform, while those who get their information other media sources will be strongly in favor of healthcare. The sheep of this country are being led around by Fox News to the benefit of the wealthy and against their own best interests.

Jack B   November 7th, 2009 11:34 pm ET

Thank God the Congress has passed the first step towards universal health reform for the American people. As a 57 year old without health care I can only say.....FINALLY. The disgrace of the only industrialized country that does not have universal health coverage makes me sick and even more outraged at the mental and political retardation of those that are against it.

Mitch   November 7th, 2009 11:24 pm ET

Please tell the the political parties to stay away from our healthcare. They can't manage the current health care plans ie Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA health.

T'SAH from Virginia   November 7th, 2009 11:23 pm ET

DA DA – DA DA- DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DA DAAAAAAAAA!!!

And the race is on... BLOW by BLOW description... The adrenalin is flowing and barn fire is burning!!! The YEAHS and the NAYS are filling the room and the results would beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee......!!!!

Tune in tomorrow... or tonight!! Hold the Press!!! Do not go to bed until the results are known!!!!

GOOD GRIEF!!! Sign the DOGGONE bill and MOVE ON!!!

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 11:14 pm ET

This Health Care Bill is keeping America Great! H R 3962 passes 220-215 U. S House Votes.

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 11:12 pm ET

2 mins left!

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 11:11 pm ET

Votes 220-215 U S. House H R 3962

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 11:10 pm ET

U. S . House has passed Health Care Bill 8:10 PM PT

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 11:09 pm ET

What a great day for America and we are going to make the Rep work for better Health Care for all Americas!

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 11:08 pm ET

Got it 218-213 3 votes left!

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 11:07 pm ET

216-210 with 8 votes left!

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 11:05 pm ET

9 mins left 212-209

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 11:05 pm ET

Come on down 8 more vote>

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 11:04 pm ET

208-205 U S. House Vote on Health Care bill.

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 11:03 pm ET

Almost, there 206-196

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 11:02 pm ET

U . S. House – Health Care Bill Votes
196-184
197-187
202-187

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 10:56 pm ET

180-244 U. S. House Votes

Jeffery Meaux, Sr.   November 7th, 2009 10:56 pm ET

I am a (middle) middle class American with an income of about $45,000 a year. I no longer belong to the democratic party or the republican party. I try to be an independent thinker and I don't like what I see in either party. I am satisfied with my medical insurance. I don't want to pay taxes for the freeloaders that are uninsured and underinsured. Let's take care of the of the mentally and physically handicapped and little children. When I buy a car or anything else I am responsible for the payment, these are not entitlement and I don't think that medical care is an entitlement for able bodied Americans. Take pride in your country but most of all take pride in yourself.

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 10:54 pm ET

180-229 U. S House on with the Dems Plans Yes!

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 10:53 pm ET

The Pres. Obama is talking rights and his address is on Health Care.

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 10:51 pm ET

On to the Dems plan!

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 10:51 pm ET

3rd votes going on live 172-236 U S house.

John Ca   November 7th, 2009 10:50 pm ET

Let go Health Care bill!

Reaganomics Leads To Feudalism   November 7th, 2009 10:50 pm ET

There are times I wish that all the rednecks would just pack up their belongings, move to Texas, seceed from the Union, and allow the United States to move into the 21st century.

If the rednecks want to live in a Feudalist country where everyone works for pennies an hour at Walmart, fine. If they really want to be serfs, serving their filthy-rich corporate masters who will make sure they never get paid enough money to get out of poverty, let them.

Let them have Texas.

Dawn, Ada, Ohio   November 7th, 2009 10:43 pm ET

Ok folks, you know what to do with those 35 Dems who are standing in the way of health care for all............BOOT THEM OUT ON THEIR MONEY GRUBBING BUTTS!!

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