Leading House Democratic moderate switches stance, opposes public plan

October 5th, 2009 Black, Latino groups press Dems on health careWASHINGTON — African-American, Latino and civil rights groups have launched an ad campaign aimed at pressuring moderate Democratic senators to support health care legislation that allows the government to sell insurance in competition with private industry. The ads feature a recognizable civil rights symbol — a public bus — to send the group's message that "there needs to be room for all of us on the bus." The ads began Monday on television, in print and online in English and Spanish in four states: Arkansas, Louisiana, North Carolina and Florida.

September 30th, 2009 Dems debate shielding banks from state lawsWASHINGTON — Moderate House Democrats are drafting a proposal that would continue to shield big banks from potentially tougher state regulations of credit cards, mortgages and savings accounts. The plan would differ from President Barack Obama's proposal to give states a role in regulating large financial institutions that operate nationwide.

September 30th, 2009 Health care issues: Insurance cooperativesA look at key issues in the health care debate: THE ISSUE: Are consumer-run co-ops a realistic alternative to a new government-run insurance option? THE POLITICS: The Democratic push for a government-run insurance plan to compete in the marketplace is running into brisk resistance in Congress. As a possible compromise, some lawmakers have proposed establishing nonprofit insurance co-ops instead of a public plan.

September 14th, 2009 AP sources: House plans Wilson rebuke TuesdayWASHINGTON — House Democrats reaffirmed plans to take up a resolution as early as Tuesday afternoon scolding defiant Republican Rep. Joe Wilson, who shocked colleagues by yelling "You lie!" during President Barack Obama's address to Congress last week.

September 11th, 2009 Dems plan to admonish Wilson for insultWASHINGTON — Democratic leaders are planning to vote early next week to admonish Republican Rep. Joe Wilson if he does not apologize on the House floor for yelling "You lie!" at President Barack Obama.

September 8th, 2009 Prospects dimming for gov't insurance planWASHINGTON — Prospects for a government insurance plan appeared to be sinking fast Tuesday as lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill a day ahead of a major health care speech by President Barack Obama. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told reporters a Medicare-like plan for middle-class Americans and their families isn't essential for him to back legislation.

August 27th, 2009 Key Democrat suggests party moderates 'brain dead'WASHINGTON — A key House liberal suggested Thursday that party moderates who've pushed for changes in health care legislation are "brain dead" and out for insurance company campaign donations. Moderate Blue Dog Democrats "just want to cause trouble," said Rep.

August 20th, 2009 Pelosi: House health bill needs public planSAN FRANCISCO — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says there's no way the House can pass a health overhaul bill that doesn't include a new public insurance plan. Her comments at a news conference Thursday in San Francisco come as the White House faces a liberal backlash for indicating openness to leaving a public plan out of a final health bill.

August 18th, 2009 Liberals push for public health insurance planWASHINGTON — Congressional liberals are telling the Obama administration that a health overhaul bill cannot pass unless it includes a new government-run insurance option. The Congressional Progressive Caucus, made up of more than 80 liberal House members, wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius expressing opposition to her weekend comments suggesting a public option was not essential to a health overhaul.

July 29th, 2009 A look at the deal worked out on health careWASHINGTON — The White House, Democratic leaders and four fiscally conservative House lawmakers worked out a deal Wednesday to move ahead on sweeping health care legislation. The agreement would allow a committee vote, preserving momentum on President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.

May 31st, 2009 Schumer: Sotomayor 'virtually filisbuster-proof'WASHINGTON — A leading Democratic senator says that President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee is "virtually filibuster-proof" when his colleagues look at her record. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York said Sunday that Sonia Sotomayor's nomination is heading toward confirmation.

May 31st, 2009 Schumer: Sotomayor 'virtually filibuster-proof'WASHINGTON — A leading Democratic senator says that President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee is "virtually filibuster-proof" when his colleagues look at her record. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York said Sunday that Sonia Sotomayor's nomination is heading toward confirmation.

May 10th, 2009 State Dems criticize Obama on stance on Bush aidesMONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont Democrats say President Barack Obama is being soft on prosecuting former Bush administration officials over torture, electronic spying and other matters.

May 10th, 2009 Vt. Dems criticize Obama on stance on Bush aidesMONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont Democrats say President Barack Obama is being soft on prosecuting former Bush administration officials over torture, electronic spying and other matters.

April 28th, 2009 Specter switches to Democrat, 'at odds' with GOPWASHINGTON — Veteran Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania switched parties Tuesday with a suddenness that stunned the Senate, a moderate's defection that left Democrats one seat shy of a 60-vote filibuster-resistant majority with many of President Barack Obama's key legislative priorities on the horizon.