Blue Dog Democrat: Health Care Negotiations Becoming "Very, Very Hard"

As the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s fiscally conscious Blue Dog Democrats and Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) continue to struggle for a compromise on the Committee’s draft of health care reform legislation, one Blue Dog shared her insight on the process.

“I think this is getting hard. Very, very hard,” Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) told reporters Tuesday. “The clock is ticking...but there are big differences over the view on the best way to get to health care reform.”

While Harman serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee, she is not one of the seven Blue Dogs currently involved in the negotiations. Harman stated that while she does sympathize with her fellow Blue Dogs over cost concerns, she favors a “robust public option”.

Pelosi Confident House Has Health Care Votes

By Justin Duckham-Talk Radio News Service

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) stated that despite cost concerns levied by the fiscally conscious “Blue Dog” Democrats, health care reform legislation will pass through the House, though the Speaker could not confirm when.

“We are making progress and I have no question that we have the votes on the floor of the House to pass this legislation,” Pelosi said during a press conference Wednesday with fellow congressional Democrats. The representatives were joined by private citizens who had acquired enormous financial burdens through their current health coverage.

On Tuesday, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) suggested that postponing Congress’ upcoming August recess may not be an effective step to garner consensus for the bill. However, today Pelosi reaffirmed her desire to pass the legislation next week, but seemed to hint at a postponement if unsuccessful.

“I believe that 70% of the American people think [the postponement] would be a good idea...I want to see a bill.”