Health Care

Ten Democrats Who Opposed Health Care At White House Party

Christina Bellantoni | March 4, 2010, 9:37AM

A blue dog.

President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden last night hosted a reception for 31 Congressional Democrats to thank them for pay-as-you-go legislation, and 10 members in the group happen to have voted against health care reform the first time around.

As Democrats attempt to shore up enough votes to finish their yearlong push on health care, Obama is helping leaders secure as many wavering Democrats as possible. The White House says he is doing what he can to convince fiscal conservatives the health care measure that passed the Senate is the right choice.

A White House party certainly isn't going to convince the lawmakers who opposed the health care bill last fall but it could help, and Obama made the pitch last night.

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Barack Obama

Gibbs: Obama Will Sign PAYGO, Debt Ceiling Increase Today

Rachel Slajda | February 12, 2010, 1:40PM

President Barack Obama

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters this afternoon that President Obama will sign a bill raising the debt ceiling and instituting PAYGO today.

Gibbs did not say whether the signing would be open to the press.

The legislation will raise the government's debt limit $1.9 trillion, to $14.3 trillion. It also re-institutes PAYGO, which requires that all legislation be paid for, either through tax increases or spending cuts.