'Do It for the American People': Obama Calls on Capitol Dems to Pass Health Care

March 20, 2010— -- With the fate of health care reform still unclear, President Obama made a high-stakes trip to Capitol Hill today to implore undecided House Democrats to vote yes in a likely vote Sunday, declaring that reform would be good for the country -- and maybe even good politics.

"Don't do it for me," Obama said. "Don't do it for the Democratic Party. Do it for the American people. They're the ones looking for action right now."

With opposition hecklers on Capitol Hill chanting, "Kill the bill!" and confronting members of Congress in hallways and at offices, and even hurling racial epithets, Obama told House Democrats he understands it's a difficult vote.

"I've been in your shoes," said Obama, a former U.S. senator and state legislator. "I know what it's like to take a tough vote. But what did Lincoln say? 'I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true.'"

Obama described the current health care proposal as "a middle-of-the-road bill to help the American people in an area of their lives where they urgently need it," and suggested a yes vote in the face of near-unanimous Republican opposition is a test of character many voters ultimately will appreciate.

"Good policy is good politics," Obama said. "Ultimately, the truth will [win] out.

"This is one of those times where you can honestly say to yourself, 'Doggone it, this is exactly why I came here; this is why I got into politics,'" he said.

Outnumbered Republicans felt differently -- and angled for any advantage they could find. In a nearly unprecedented move, Republican leaders allowed reporters into a private strategy session.

"Now we're there," said House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio. "We're about 24 hours from Armageddon.

"This health care bill will ruin our country," Boehner added later. "Time to stop it."

Democrats claim they have the momentum to pass a Senate bill with modifications through the House of Representatives on Sunday.

If they succeed, the Senate then would have to vote for reconciliation to approve the changes.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., assured House Democrats that would happen and said a majority of senators have signed a letter promising to fix the Senate bill if the House does it first.

"I have the commitment of the U.S. Senate to make that good law even better," he said.

Democratic Party leaders today said they would drop an idea of voting on the Senate bill and the amendments together through a process called "deem and pass" after Republicans accused them of backhanded maneuvers. Instead, Democrats will hold a direct up-or-down vote for each bill.

"Clearly, we believe we have the votes," said Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md.