Pelosi says House lacks votes to OK Senate healthcare bill

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Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she lacks the votes to push the Senate’s sweeping health overhaul bill through the House, a potentially devastating blow to President Obama’s signature issue.

The California Democrat made the comment to reporters today after House Democrats held a closed-door meeting at which participants vented frustration with the massive version of the legislation.

Pelosi said, “In its present form, without any changes, I don’t think it’s possible to pass the Senate bill in the House. ... I don’t see the votes for it at this time.”

Many House Democrats, reeling from their loss of the Massachusetts Senate seat in this week’s special election, want the party to pursue a more modest health bill.

-- Associated Press