WHIP COUNT: House Democrats' positions on the healthcare reform bill
The Hill's survey/tracking of House Democrats' positions on healthcare reform legislation.
UPDATED:
3/20/10 at 11:37 p.m.
RECENT UPDATES: Reps. Glenn Nye, Loretta Sanchez, Mike Capuano, Jim Langevin,
Jerry McNerney, Jim Matheson, Zack Space, John Hall, Henry Cuellar, Shelley Berkley, Marcia Fudge, Ciro Rodriguez, Sanford
Bishop, Chris Carney, Dennis Cardoza, Melissa Bean, John Tanner, Ike Skelton, Jim Costa, Bruce Braley, Paul Tonko, Mike Quigley,
Mary Jo Kilroy, Baron Hill, Tim Holden, Bill Owens, Mike Ross, Bart Stupak, Marion Berry, John Barrow, Harry Teague, Michael
Arcuri, Scott Murphy, Harry Mitchell, John Salazar, Tim Bishop, Bob Etheridge, Suzanne Kosmas, Brad Ellsworth, Jason Altmire,
Joe Courtney, John Adler, Allen Boyd, Adam Smith, Dina Titus, Chris Murphy, Peter DeFazio, Lincoln Davis, John Boccieri and
Charlie Wilson
House Democrats not on this list are expected to vote yes.
All
House Republicans are expected to vote no, but President Barack Obama has reportedly called Rep. Joseph Cao (R-La.) to urge
him to vote yes. However, Cao, who is a proponent of the Stupak language, is still expected to reject the bill.
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
(37)
John Adler (N.J.) (N) Adler announced March 18 he will vote no
Jason Altmire (Pa.)
* (N) Announced March 19 he is going to vote no, saying, "I strongly believe that a vote in opposition to the health
care bill is consistent with the views of the district I represent." On March 16, Altmire told Fox Business Network that
he has major problem with Democrats' "deem and pass" strategy, calling it "wrong." Majority Whip James
Clyburn (D-S.C.) told McClatchy Newspapers earlier this month he was targeting Altmire
Michael Arcuri (N.Y.)
(Y) He is now a firm no. His statement reads, "And after several meetings and conversations with the president, Speaker
of the House, administration officials and colleagues, I am not convinced enough changes can be made to the Senate health
care bill to meet the needs of the people in my district."
John Barrow (Ga.) * (N) Announced on
March 19 he is a no. Barrow told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "It puts too much of the burden of paying for it on
working folks who are already being overcharged, and that’s not fair. It threatens to overwhelm Medicaid in Georgia,
and that's not right. And it barely touches the insurance companies, and that's not smart." Barrow had been considered
a likely no vote. He voted no last year in committee and on floor.
Marion Berry (Ark.) * (Y) Berry
has not been talking publicly recently. Berry, who is retiring, could be a yes. However, he has been critical of the president
since announcing his retirement. Strong backer of Stupak language. Voted yes in Budget Committee markup on March 15. He voted
no on climate change last year
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
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's statement: "While I cannot vote for current House legislation, I remain committed to effective,
fiscally responsible healthcare 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
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) The Morning Call reported March 20 that Holden received a call from President Barack Obama, and told
him he will be voting no. Has expressed concerns about cuts to Medicare. Voted against healthcare and climate change in 2009.
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) Announced on March 20 he will vote on no. He voted no last year, both on the floor and
in committee
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
Glenn Nye (Va.) (N) His no vote is a big setback for Democratic leaders. Nye announced his
vote late on March 20. A press release cited "potential problems for TRICARE recipients, the cost of the bill, and cuts
to children's hospitals. Nye is in a toss-up race. He voted no on
climate change in 2009
Collin Peterson (Minn.) * (N) Ag chairman not shy in bucking leadership. Firm
no
Nick Rahall (W.Va.) * (Y) The Hill reported March 19 that Rahall is involved in
discussions with Senate on abortion provisions. Told the Charleston Daily Mail that he will vote no unless abortion
language is changed. Rahall is third committee chairmen on this Firm No, Leaning No, Likely No list. Rahall voted no on climate
change bill in 2009
Mike Ross (Ark.) * (N) AP reported March 19 that Ross is a 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. He reiterated
his no vote on the House floor on March 20
Zack Space (Ohio) * (Y) In big setback for House leaders,
Space announced on March 20 he will vote no. He voted yes in committee and yes on the floor last year
Bart Stupak
(Mich.) * (Y) Was going to hold March 20 press conference with "other pro-life Democrats," but is was canceled
on Saturday morning. Many believe the press conference was to announce a deal with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), but any
deal is off -- at least for the moment.
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) Announced March 19 that he
is a no and ripped the bill for doing more for insurance companies than the uninsured: "In fact, I believe we are doing
more for the insurance companies than we are for the people who need this coverage, and that is why, despite the positive
steps it takes, I must vote against this bill."
Firm Yes (56)
Joe Baca
(Calif.) * (Y) Must-have for leadership and was at 3/18 CHC press conference where lawmakers announced they would
vote for the bill Melissa Bean (Ill.) (Y) Centrist announced on March 20 she will vote yes
Shelley
Berkley (Nev.) (Y) Announced that she is a yes vote
Sanford Bishop Jr. (Ga.) * (Y) Favors Stupak
provision, but will vote yes
Tim Bishop (N.Y.) (Y) Must-have vote for leadership. Bishop's office told
CNN that the New York lawmaker wants major changes to Senate bill. Voted yes in March 15 Budget Committee markup
John
Boccieri (Ohio) * (N) Announced he will vote yes at a March 19 presser. He said: "Yes, I will be voting yes
for the bill. I was very encouraged by the budget results that came back from the Congressional Budget Office." Clyburn
had publicly said he was leaning on Boccieri, who is in a tough reelection race
Leonard Boswell (Iowa) Firm
yes
Allen Boyd (Fla.) (N) Big yes for Democrats. Boyd said on March 19 he is a yes. Voted no on March
15 during Budget Committee markup and voted no on last year's bill
Michael Capuano (Y) Announced on
March 20 he is a yes
Dennis Cardoza (Calif.) * (Y) After Speaker ditched "deem and pass,"
Cardoza announced his support of bill on March 20
Russ Carnahan (Mo.) (Y) Announced his support of bill
on March 18. In competitive race this fall, but should win
Chris Carney (Pa.) * (Y) Big yes vote for
Democratic leaders. Announced his vote on March 20. On March 19, Carney was seen on the floor talking to Majority Whip James
Clyburn (D-S.C.). Carney this month told the Scranton Times-Shamrock, "As I said publicly, I can't vote for
a bill that will publicly fund abortion."
Jim Costa (Calif.) * (Y) Costa told Politico on March
20 that he will vote yes.
Joe Courtney (Conn.) (Y) Announced on March 19 he is a yes.
Had expressed concerns about excise tax
Peter DeFazio (Ore.) (Y) DeFazio and Democratic leaders on March
20 worked out a deal on Medicare reimbursements, securing DeFazio's vote.
Brad Ellsworth (Ind.) * (Y)
Seneta hopeful said on March 19 he is a yes, which is a huge get for Democratic leaders
Henry Cuellar (Texas)
* (Y) Cuellar announced on March 20 that he is a yes. Under pressure from Speaker and the president, Cuellar backed the climate
change bill and House healthcare measure last year.
Eliot Engel (N.Y.) (Y) Said on MSNBC March 19 he
is a yes, but that was expected
Bob Etheridge (N.C.) * (Y) Announced March 19 he is a yes
Marcia Fudge (Ohio) (Y) Fudge announced this weekend she is a yes vote. Obama lobbied for her vote, giving her
a ride on Air Force One on March 15
Dale Kildee (Mich.) * (Y) Not one of Stupak's Dozen
John
Garamendi (Calif.) (Y) Vowed last summer to vote against any bill without a public option, but his office says Garamendi
is a firm yes and will keep fighting for the public option
Bart Gordon (Tenn.) * (N) Gordon said in
a March 18 statement on the bill: "I am supporting it."
Luis Gutierrez (Ill.) (Y) Said at
a March 18 press conference he will vote for the bill because he got a renewed commitment to immigration reform from President
Barack Obama.
Raul Grijalva (Ariz.) (Y) Grijalva was at 3/18 CHC press conference where lawmakers announced
they would vote for the bill
John Hall (N.Y.) (Y) Hall announced on March 20 he will
vote yes
Debbie Halvorson (Ill.) (Y) Announced on March 20 she is a yes
Baron Hill (Ind.)
* (Y) Announced on March 20 he is a yes
Steve Kagen (Wis.) (Y) Told Fox 11 in Wisconsin that
he prefers more incremental approach. But on March 13 he said, "We're going to find and secure enough votes to pass healthcare
... "
Mary Jo Kilroy (Ohio) (Y) Announced on March 19 she will vote yes.
Ann Kirkpatrick (Ariz.) (Y) Congresswoman on March 16 said she's a yes, asserting bill will enhance the
healthcare of children and seniors. Kirkpatrick voted against climate change bill in 2009. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won
Kirkpatrick's district by 10 points in the 2008 presidential election
Suzanne Kosmas (Fla.) (N) In
a big boost to the chances of health reform passing, Kosmas announced on March 19 she is a yes. President Obama urges her
to support the measure during a recent meeting in the Oval Office, according to March 16 AP report. Kosmas voted no last year
Dennis Kucinich (Ohio) (N) His yes vote, announced on March 17, is a huge boost to the chances of healthcare
reform passing. Kucinich is first no vote in 2009 to commit to voting for yes. Before supporting bill, Kucinich had blasted
it on cable news networks
Jim Langevin (R.I.) * (Y) Langevin told The Hill March 20 he will vote yes.
Langevin voted for Stupak language
David Loebsack (Iowa) (Y) Will vote yes
Dan
Maffei (N.Y.) (Y) On March 16, Maffei said, "I'm proud to support this legislation."
Betsy
Markey (Colo.) (N) The Denver Post reports she will vote for the bill
Jerry McNerney (Calif.)
(Y) Announced on March 20 he will vote yes
Harry Mitchell (Ariz.) (Y) Announced on March 19 he will
vote yes. Big pickup for Democrats
Richard Neal (Mass.) * (Y) Fan of Stupak language, but will vote
yes
Jim Oberstar (Minn.) * (Y) Wants Stupak language but told Politico of Senate bill: "On
balance, it does what we need to do."
Bill Owens (N.Y.) (Y) Announced on March 20 he will vote
yes. Latest upstate New York Democrat to vote yes, following Reps. Scott Murphy and Dan Maffei.
Chris Murphy
(Conn.) (Y) GOP target said on March 19 he will vote yes
Scott Murphy (N.Y.) (N) Announced
on March 19 he is a yes. Murphy was personally lobbied by President Barack Obama and later, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
Soon after meeting with Pelosi on March 19, he announced he was a yes vote
Silvestre Reyes (Texas) *
(Y) Intelligence panel chairman on board
Ciro Rodriguez (Texas) * (Y) San Antonio Express-News reporting
that Rodriguez is a yes vote. Considered by Cook Political Report to "likely" retain seat. Bucked his leadership
by voting no on climate change measure last summer
Tim Ryan (Ohio) * (Y) On March 16, Ryan said on the
House floor, "We need to pass this bill." Congressman voted for Stupak language
John Salazar (Colo.)
* (Y) GOP target told the Denver Post he is a yes
Mark Schauer (Mich.) (Y) Told the Citizen Patriot
he will vote for the bill. Schauer said: “I needed to see the bill and the Congressional Budget Office score. The bill
fundamentally does what I hoped it would.”
Adam Schiff (Calif.) (Y) Firm yes
Carol
Shea-Porter (N.H.) (Y) Spoke out favorably on healthcare reform on the House floor on March 16. In a toss-up reelection
race, according to Cook Political Report.
Adam Smith (Wash.) (Y) Will approve bill
Vic Snyder (Ark.) * (Y) Has gone from lean yes to firm yes. Not seeking reelection
Betty
Sutton (Ohio) (Y) Told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer: "The legislation is not perfect and indeed contains provisions that I will continue to strive to improve,
but I will vote for the bill."
Dina Titus (Nev.) (Y) Announced on March 19 she is
a yes
Paul Tonko (N.Y.) (Y) Said on March 19 he will vote yes
Charlie Wilson (Ohio)
* (Y) Announced on March 19 he is a yes. Considered less vulnerable this fall than other Ohio Democrats.
Leaning
Yes or Likely Yes (12)
Gerry Connolly (Va.) (Y) Obama to visit Connolly's Fairfax, Va.-district
on Friday. But Obama doesn't have to worry about Connolly's vote. He is a very likely yes. Voted yes in Budget
Committee markup on March 15
Mike Doyle (Pa.) * (Y) Doyle told The Hill on March 16
that he will likely vote yes
Gabrielle Giffords (Ariz.) (Y) Was one of 10 Democrats
to vote with Republicans on resolution criticizing "deem and pass" strategy on March 18. But GOP target will likely
vote yes, according to Arizona Daily Star
Jim Himes (Conn.) (Y) Must-have vote for leadership.
Likely yes
Mike Michaud (Maine) * (Y) Likely yes
Dennis Moore (Kan.) (Y) Retiring
this year. New Budget Committee member voted yes in March 15 markup
David Obey (Wis.) * (Y) Waiting
to review bill language; likely yes
Tom Perriello (Va.) * (Y) Said he will vote yes on March 19 if
gets assurance from 51 senators that bill will be amended in the upper chamber. In toss-up race this fall; Pelosi had long
talk with the Virginia Democrat on March 10 on the House floor
John Spratt (S.C.) * (Y) Budget Committee
chairman is in competitive reelection race. Spratt will soon be trying to collect votes for his budget resolution. Voted yes
in Budget Committee markup on March 15
Anthony Weiner (N.Y.) (Y) On March 12, Weiner noted that 290
times this Congress, the Senate has failed to act on bills passed by the House, adding, "Fool us once, shame on you,
fool me 290 times, shame on us." Regardless, Weiner is a very likely yes
David Wu (Ore.)
(Y) His office told NPR he is leaning yes, but the only floor vote he missed, on March 18, was the motion to table the GOP
resolution condemning the "deem and pass" strategy. Was undecided for three hours during 2003 Medicare drug vote,
then voted with the GOP. Republicans are targeting Wu this fall
John Yarmuth (Ky.) (Y) Considered a
team player. Likely yes. Voted yes in Budget Committee markup on March 15
Undecided/Unclear (17)
Brian Baird (Wash.) (N) Retiring member who bucked party on Iraq war surge. Another target of Clyburn
Bruce Braley (Iowa) (Y) Expected to vote yes, but kcci.com reported Braley is concerned about Medicare
cuts
Jim Cooper (Tenn.) * (Y) Has had up-and-down relationship with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)
Kathy Dahlkemper (Pa.) * (Y) GOP target. Her yes vote could be key to passage. Strong backer of Stupak
language
Lincoln Davis (Tenn.) * (N) The Hill on March 19 moved Davis from Likely No category to Undecided
column. Voted no in November, but has been avoiding requests for comment
Bill Foster (Ill.)
(Y) GOP target who voted no on climate change last year.
Paul Kanjorski (Pa.) * (Y) GOP target. Also
voted against education reform bill that will move with healthcare reform in reconciliation
Marcy Kaptur (Ohio)
* (Y) Voted with leadership first time around, but doesn't toe the party line. Wants Stupak language but that's not a deal
breaker. Voted yes during Budget Committee markup. Likely to move to lean yes category soon
Ron Kind (Wis.)
(Y) Represents competitive district. Voted against bill in committee
Ron Klein (Fla.) (Y) GOP target
Alan Mollohan (W.Va.) * (Y) In November, seat was considered safe. Now, he's in a tight race
Solomon
Ortiz (Texas) * (Y) Was a late yes last time around. Rejected climate change last June
Earl Pomeroy
(N.D.) * (Y) Voted against bill in committee, and for it on the House floor. Rejected climate change
bill last year
Mike Quigley (Ill.) (Y) Late addition to this list. The Chicago Sun Times reported
March 20 that Quigley said he will not vote for bill if a deal is make with Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) on abortion. Quigley,
who replaced Rahm Emanuel in the House, said he talked to White House political adviser David Axelrod on March 19
Bobby
Rush (Ill.) (Y) Surprise addition to this list. Said he was undecided on March 18. The Hill reported that Rush engaged
in several discussions with leadership lawmakers after announcing his position. Concerned about bill's impact on hospitals
in poor areas. Still, liberal congressman is a likely yes. Rush defeated Barack Obama in 2000 House primary
Loretta
Sanchez (Calif.) (Y) Roll Call reported March 20 that Sanchez is not certain to make the vote. She missed all seven
votes on March 20 and has said publicly she is not fond of the Senate measure. Was a late yes in November
Kurt
Schrader (Ore.) (Y) Budget Committee member didn't vote during March 15 markup. In competitive reelection race.
John Tanner (Tenn.) * (N) Tanner as of March 20 still undecided. House deputy whip is not running for reelection,
but he still will need to be convinced to get to yes. Voted no in committee and on floor last year
Bob Cusack, Molly K. Hooper, Jeffrey Young, Aaron Blake, Kevin Bogardus, Lauren Victoria
Burke, Walter Alarkon, Christina Wilkie, Roxana Tiron, Kevin Bogardus, Jared Allen, Michael O'Brien, John Owre, Jennifer Swift,
Drew Wheatley, Jurgen Boerema and Tony Lange contributed to this list.
PLEASE E-MAIL Bob Cusack WITH UPDATES.
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