House Voting Now On The Rule For Health Care Debate

The House of Representatives is voting on the rule right now. It’s expected to pass. The rule includes two amendments: the Republican substitute health care bill, and the “Stupak Amendment,” which would effectively ban private insurers and the public option from providing coverage for abortion services in the individual and small group market (and eventually everywhere, as the exchanges will over time be open to large employers, too).

Right now there are only 2 Democratic no votes on the rule. Apparently getting a vote on that amendment is enough to get the anti-choice Democrats to allow the bill to come for a vote.

Asked about the Stupak amendment and whether or not it will pass, Majority Whip James Clyburn said today, “We’ll see.”

UPDATE: The rule just crossed the 218 barrier required to pass. So far 8 Democrats have voted no. This bill will come to the floor.

This is not over, of course. There’s still the major fight on the Stupak amendment and the vote on the final bill.

UPDATE II: President Obama is speaking now, praising the vote in the House of Representatives today. Will he even discuss the Stupak Amendment? No. He makes a passing reference to how “the bill is not perfect” and doesn’t give anybody all the things they want.

(Final vote on the rule is 246-187, with 10 Democrats voting no, and no Republicans voting yes. Two Democrats have not voted. Will get the names of the 10 Dems when they are released.)

Related posts:

1. Actual Action At the House Rules Committee On The Health Care Bill: Stupak Amendment To Get Floor Vote
2. House Health Care Vote Scheduled for Saturday
3. Fox’s New Friend Stupak Says He’ll Take Down Health Bill over His Amendment
4. Will Planned Parenthood and NARAL Score the House Health Care Bill?
5. Senate Likely to Need 60 Votes to Insert Stupak Amendment into Health Care Bill