11 seconds ago 2009-12-15T01:30:03-08:00
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer predicted passage of a health care overhaul bill would come Saturday evening even as House Democrats worked Friday to corral the needed votes to pass the measure.
Republican delaying tactics could push the vote into Sunday, Hoyer acknowledged, saying Democrats were prepared to return on Sunday or go into next week if needed for the House to pass the measure.
Hoyer said his goal is to open floor debate Saturday morning -- something that is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. -- to approve the rule governing debate on the bill, have general debate on the measure and a Republican substitute and then vote on final passage by 7 p.m. or 8 p.m.
But he said he is prepared for a much longer floor fight. "We will facilitate debate and vote unless there are delaying tactics," Hoyer said.
Early Friday, signs of such tactics emerged on the House floor. Republicans used all their allotted debate time on suspension bills to oppose the health care overhaul legislation, a step that delayed the first series of House votes.
Hoyer said he will bring the House back on Sunday afternoon, and on Monday and Tuesday before the Nov. 11 Veterans' Day holiday to get the job done. "What I have said to people is we will consider this to its conclusion."
