TPM's Live Countdown to Reform Wire

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/live/countdown-to-reform-wire/?ref=fpblg

Rep. Markey Flips: No To Yes
2 MINUTES AGO
Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO) says she will vote for the health care bill. Markey, a member of the Blue Dogs who voted against the November bill, said, "I have to say this is going to be the largest deficit reduction bill that I will ever vote for."


Rep. Bart Gordon: No To Yes
49 MINUTES AGO
Retiring Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) is officially switching his vote on the health care legislation from "No" to "Yes."
Gordon put out a statement detailing his decision. He was a key target for Democratic leadership after announcing his retirement last fall.
"The health care bill being considered by Congress now accomplishes three things: one, it reduces health care costs for families and small businesses; two, it improves access to affordable care, regardless of pre-existing conditions; three, it lowers our budget deficit. That's why I am supporting it," he said.

#
More Pro-Life Support Building Behind Health Care
1 HOUR AGO
TPMDC's Evan McMorris-Santoro reports from a call done by Faith in Public Life.
Rep. Dale Kildee (D-MI), who announced his support for the bill yesterday, and Rep. Charlie Wilson (D-OH), who seems to be leaning toward a "Yes" vote, were on the call.

#
Trumka Officially Endorses Bill
1 HOUR AGO
On a conference call this afternoon, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka endorsed the health care reform bill. The union is "putting all we have into this landmark legislation and it will pass," he said. He added that the union will be targeting undecided Democrats over the next few days, with house calls, phone calls and letters from leaders on every level.

[Clio the Leo]

1. Rumor has it that John Tanner (D-TN) is going to switch to "Yes" also.

http://twitter.com/HEALTH_NOTES/status/10690233624

[Beetwasher]

2. Anyone Have An Up To Date Count?

Where do we stand?

[Clio the Leo]

3. Here....

Unless one of the current "yes" or likely/leaning "yes" votes goes to no, we're ok.

If every member votes and all GOP lawmakers vote no, the maximum number of Democratic defections to pass a bill is 37, which would result in a 216-215 tally.

* -- Voted for Stupak amendment in November
(Y) -- Voted yes in November
(N) -- Voted no in November

Firm No, Leaning No, Likely No (36)
John Adler (N.J.) (N) Citing cost containment, Adler told the Courier-Post that he will vote against Senate measure
Michael Arcuri (N.Y.) (Y) National Journal reports he is telling leadership he will vote against the bill.
John Barrow (Ga.) * (N) Voted no last year in committee and on floor. Likely no
Marion Berry (Ark.) * (Y) Has been critical of the president since announcing his retirement. Strong backer of Stupak language. Voted yes in Budget Committee markup on March 15
Dan Boren (Okla.) * (N) Won't be changing his mind — firm no
Rick Boucher (Va.) (N) GOP target who has told local press outlets in Virginia he has major problems with Medicare cuts and "unsavory dealmaking" that benefited Nebraska, Louisiana and Florida. Leaning no
Bobby Bright (Ala.) * (N) Voted against House health bill, stimulus and climate change. Firm no
Allen Boyd (Fla.) (N) Facing primary challenge. Voted no on education reform bill expected to move with healthcare reform as part of reconciliation. Voted no on March 15 during Budget Committee markup
Chris Carney (Pa.) * (Y) Carney told the Scranton Times-Shamrock, "As I said publicly, I can't vote for a bill that will publicly fund abortion."
Ben Chandler (Ky.) * (N) His office told The Hill on March 15: “Congressman Chandler’s position on the bill remains the same. He expects to vote against the legislation.”
Travis Childers (Miss.) * (N) Told the Daily Journal he will vote no, citing lack of strong language on abortion funding. From Childers statement: "While I cannot vote for current House legislation, I remain committed to effective, fiscally responsible health care reform that makes sense for North Mississippi."
Jerry Costello (Ill.) * (Y) One of his senior aides, David Gillies, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Costelllo will vote no on the Senate bill. Most of the calls, e-mails and letters he has received have advised a no vote. His office did say he was "undecided" on the reconciliation legislation if it comes up for a vote.
Artur Davis (Ala.) * (N) Running for governor, but will make sure to return to D.C. to vote no
Lincoln Davis (Tenn.) * (N) Voted no first time, and most expect him to vote no again. He has not commented publicly.
Joe Donnelly (Ind.) * (Y) Among the Stupak dozen — will vote no unless abortion language in Senate bill is changed, according to The Rochester Sentinel
Steve Driehaus (Ohio) * (Y) In toss-up race in November who is ardent backer of Stupak language. Now sounds like a very firm no. Told the Cincinnati Enquirer, "They are going to have to do it without me and without the other pro-life Democrats." His spokesman told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer: "Unless changes are made to the abortion language in the Senate version, Rep. Driehaus will be voting no."
Chet Edwards (Texas) (N) Perennial GOP target. Edwards spokesman told CNN he will vote no. Votes no at March 15 Budget Committee markup
Larry Kissell (N.C.) (N) GOP target, but reelection chances on the rise. Firm no
Frank Kratovil (Md.) (N) Voted for climate change; says he will vote no
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (S.D.) (N) Congresswoman told the Rapid City Journal she's a no, noting she is not a fan of reconciliation. She also voted no on education reform bill expected to move in reconciliation with healthcare reform
Tim Holden (Pa.) * (N) Voted against healthcare and climate change in 2009. Told The Republican Herald that he is a no, citing abortion and "significant" cuts to Medicare and Medicaid
Daniel Lipinski (Ill.) * (Y) Will not vote for abortion language in Senate bill, but has other concerns as well. Democratic leaders cannot count on Lipinski
Stephen Lynch (Mass.) * (Y) Says he will vote no. Proponent of Stupak language. Has major problems with "deem and pass" strategy. Told Politico, "I don’t buy the argument that he’s done if this doesn’t pass. He’s got three more years. He can recover.”
Jim Marshall (Ga.) * (N) Perennial GOP target, but favored to win reelection. Told The Hill he's a no
Jim Matheson (Utah) * (N) President Obama this year tapped brother for post, but Matheson still a likely no
Mike McIntyre (N.C.) * (N) Seven-term lawmaker rejected House health bill and climate change. Spokesman tells The Hill McIntyre is a no. Expected to win reelection easily even though Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won district
Mike McMahon (N.Y.) (N) Suggested last month he was a no to the Staten Island Advance. McMahon told The Hill on March 12 he is leaning no. Voted no on education reform bill that is expected to move with healthcare reform in reconciliation
Charlie Melancon (La.) * (N) Senate hopeful voted no in November and no in committee. Likely no
Walt Minnick (Idaho) (N) One of the House's most conservative members. Firm no
Collin Peterson (Minn.) * (N) Ag chairman not shy in bucking leadership. Firm no
Mike Ross (Ark.) * (N) Voted for bill in committee, but not since. Firm no
Heath Shuler (N.C.) * (N) CNN reporting Shuler is a no. Doesn't hold his tongue when he opposes Democratic leaders. Critic of reconciliation. Gannett New Services reports Shuler is leaving himself wiggle room. Shuler said: "Until I know the details of the final bill and the process, I am reluctant to draw a line in the sand."
Ike Skelton (Mo.) * (N) GOP targeting his seat. Armed Services Committee chairman is a firm no
Bart Stupak (Mich.) * (Y) Told The Hill in March 17 interview his life has been "living hell" in recent weeks. Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) predicted Stupak will vote yes, but Stupak says he will absolutely vote no unless the bill language on abortion is changed.
Gene Taylor (Miss.) * (N) Has been a firm no all Congress. Constituents last summer urged him to get others to vote no
Harry Teague (N.M.) * (N) Told The Hill that he will review bill to see if final bill brings costs down. If "we are in the same place — a no"

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/85693-whip-watch-the-hills-survey-of-house-dems-positions-on-healthcare-

And it should be noted, the President is working on Rep Cao (Republican)

[Beetwasher]

6. thx!

looking good!

[flpoljunkie]

4. ABC news: 208 yes votes with 209 no votes--leaving 14 in play. Pelosi needs 8 of the 14.

My money's on Pelosi.

[Beetwasher]

5. thx!