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Search for Ayes on Health Narrows to a Dozen or So

WASHINGTON — The Democratic search for health care votes dwindled to a dozen or so lawmakers Friday as the House leadership and the White House sought to cement victory in a vote now set for Sunday.

On the House floor, in Capitol hallways, in leadership office suites and by telephone, Democratic leaders, the party vote-whipping team and administration officials made their final arguments to wavering House members as more Democrats who had once opposed the measure came out in support of it.

Those involved said the pitches were being made on a case-by-case basis, with the final version of the legislation being sold in some cases on the basis of its expansion of insurance coverage to millions of Americans and in others on findings that it would markedly reduce the deficit.

“There are as many rationales as there are members,” said Representative Robert E. Andrews, a New Jersey Democrat who has been working closely with Speaker Nancy Pelosi to lay out the benefits of the health legislation to rank-and-file Democrats.

Lawmakers and top aides said much of the focus was on reassuring anti-abortion Democrats that public dollars would not go toward the procedure. Among those whose backing was being sought were Representatives Jerry F. Costello of Illinois, Kathy Dahlkemper of Pennsylvania, Steve Driehaus of Ohio, Paul E. Kanjorski of Pennsylvania, Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, Daniel Lipinski of Illinois and Alan B. Mollohan of West Virginia.

Those seven were just some of the Democrats under mounting pressure from colleagues, special interest groups and constituents tying up Capitol phone lines.

The leadership was also appealing to Democrats who had previously voted against the measure but had since announced that they would retire at the end of this term, a decision that could provide more freedom to take a politically difficult position. Falling into that category were Representative John Tanner of Tennessee, who might be persuaded on the basis of the measure’s impact on the deficit, as well as Representative Brian Baird of Washington, who wanted a more far-reaching overhaul.

Democrats were also working to sew up the votes of House members running for office who were worried that a vote for health care could complicate those bids. One of those lawmakers, Representative Brad Ellsworth, a potential Senate candidate in Indiana, on Friday announced his support for the plan. Representative Artur Davis of Alabama, who is running for governor, was once seen as a candidate for lobbying by his party because of his close ties with President Obama but was considered a less likely backer of the bill.

Republicans were trying to keep a count almost as closely as the Democrats and warned that the movement of Democrats into the yes column did not make approval of the measure a certainty, particularly given continuing uncertainty over abortion.

As they tried to make up their minds, Democrats had to weigh a mix of factors and the views of divided backers and constituents. Representative Zachary T. Space, a Ohio Democrat who backed the measure in November but is currently considered undecided, found himself under the gun from labor interests who said they would rescind an endorsement if he did not back the measure.

The National Federation of Independent Businesses, which represents small businesses, pressed lawmakers to come out against the health plan, warning Democrats that the vote will be counted against them in compiling Congressional scorecards.

Those who did choose sides cited numerous factors, but deficit reduction afforded by the legislation appeared to be key.

“This legislation provides truly responsible fiscal reform,” said Representative Suzanne Kosmas, a Florida Democrat who voted against the legislation last November and was one of seven former opponents who have so far come out in favor of the legislation to be considered Sunday.

Representative Allen Boyd, a fellow Florida Democrat who also changed his mind, said he believed the measure met the test of responsible health care reform “by providing the largest middle class tax credits for health care in our nation’s history and preserving a patient’s ability to choose their own doctor.”

Democrats said that the most difficult task would be getting the last few decisive votes but that they expected to be successful.

“The last yard is the hardest,” said Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, a member of the Democratic leadership, “but we will get into the end zone.”
[New York Times]

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