Pelosi, Schumer comments on health care (updated)

[ProSense]

Pelosi: House won't support Senate bill, at least for now

Washington (CNN) - The Senate health care bill has too many unpopular provisions to win approval from the House at this time, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday.

Pelosi's comment to reporters appeared to dash the chances for Democrats to take the easiest route for passing a health care bill - having the House approve the Senate version unchanged.

"I don't think it's possible to pass the Senate bill in the House," Pelosi said. "I don't see the votes for it at this time."

She insisted that all options remain open, but also agreed with President Barack Obama's comment Wednesday that scaling back the legislation estimated to cost almost $1 trillion over 10 years might be the preferred option.

Congressional Democrats have been reconsidering their strategy after a Republican victory in Tuesday's special Senate election in Massachusetts stripped Senate Democrats of the 60-seat supermajority needed to overcome a GOP filibuster.

Sounds like negotiations, especially since $1 trillion is referring to the House bill.

Schumer: We'll Make No Reform Before Its Time. And Time Is Running Out

Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Senate leadership is still considering what to do about health care legislation in the wake of the Massachusetts Senate election. But he said that whatever plan is agreed on, Democrats want health care off the table by March.

"I don't think we want this to go on for three more months," he said. "You have to make a decision." Schumer said that Democrats are making sure to rush a plan on reform and said that "it will take a few days" for the caucus to come up with plan to pass health care reform without their supermajority.

Reconciliation is one of a few options under discussion, Schumer said. But he said that "concerns about the political climate" make that plan less than appealing to some Democrats. "It's one of the considerations," he said when asked if Democrats worry voters will react badly to a health care bill passed with through reconciliation.

[ProSense]

1. Updated n/t

[flpoljunkie]

2. Grow a pair, Dems, and pass health care legislation, or find yourselves deserted by your base in '10

And, gut it up and pass real financial reform while you are at it!