'Solid Support'

" Right now house Republicans are holding a news conference on health care they are calling on Americans to go door to door and talk to their members of congress about the bill. Take a look at that familiar face John Ratzenberger remember from -- he's at the microphone right now. Today's GOP rally comes less than two days before House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Is expected to push for a floor vote on health care overhaul. Joining us now the fourth ranking Democrat in the house Connecticut congressman John Larson he's the chair of the house democratic congress he sits on the house Ways and Means Committee. Congressman thanks for being with us. Have any religion on The Wall Street Journal describes democratic support support among rank and file Democrats for this bill as shaky what are you doing to reassure them."

" Well when did the first time I disagree with The Wall Street Journal we have solid support for this bill and we look forward to its passage. The bill will be on the floor tomorrow evening but when they're gonna carry over to Saturday. And we'll have a vote Saturday. Afternoon. If you might have solid support among Democrats although that you know again disagrees with the characterization put forward by the journal but. No Republicans are expected to vote for this thing out. When it comes to passing a piece of -- legislation with no Republican support how would you feel about that. Well we feel badly about to be frankly you know we wish that we had their support. You know this is such an important issue -- you would think that. All Americans would have an oar in the water with respect to making sure that we're combining our great entrepreneur realism are innovation science and technology. With the common -- notion. That we have to ensure all Americans. And that's what this does it helps bring down the cost for all Americans and helps bring down the deficit. It closes the donut hole for seniors in expedience opportunity and prevention in coverage. We wish they would join us in this effort unfortunately they have chosen not to. But it isn't there a bit of smoke and mirrors when it comes to that to paying for this I mean you're you're you're you start not at all in fact it's Arizona Texas -- the taxes kick in one of the two years ahead of the actual out go. No actually would that this is paid for. Its revenue neutral consistent with the president has asked for. And you know I I think it's so important for the American people especially in this time when everyone knows that their job and wants the job. Is synonymous with. Lack of health insurance coverage so. We've got -- twofold mission here we've got to turn this economy around we've got to put people back to work. And in the process we have to make sure that they have access to health care we have to make sure that their policies can't be rescinded that they can't be denied because of preexisting conditions. And that's what this legislation does. We're watching the actor Jon Voight who's speaking now on the Republican side let me continue with with some questions about abortion are said to be. A number of democratic members who are nervous about what's in this bill. What about the abortion question that has been very controversial are their federal dollars that would pay for abortions in this bill that's always that's always been a a controversial and personal issues that matter of of conscience and so there is deep and abiding respect with regard to that. And I believe that -- wish those issues will be worked out for the vote. Be worked out before this thing gets voted on perhaps as early as Saturday. Correct and."

" All right congressman John Larson of Connecticut the number four Democrat in the House of Representatives. --"