Dems Predict Bill Will Pass

It’s coming down to the wire, but Democratic leaders now predict they have more than the 216 votes needed to pass historic health-care reform later today. President Obama’s speech last night was enough to sway one member of the House—Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio said this morning she will vote for the legislation. And Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), one of the most outspoken lawmakers in this process, announced he was signing on to the bill after he and a half-dozen anti-abortion Democrats worked out language for an executive order from Obama that would clarify that taxpayer money would not be used to fund abortions. He said the Democrats had "well passed" the 216 mark. On ABC's This Week, House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson said, "We have the votes now—as we speak." The House will have three major votes today, the first on the rules of debate, then a vote on the reconciliation package, and a vote on the original Senate bill, expected after 6 p.m.