As the health care merger discussions inch lawmakers closer to a final deal, key Democrats are getting face time with President Obama.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi had a private lunch with Obama today, and Democratic leaders will meet with him this evening.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said he wasn’t sure whether Republicans were invited, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA) will be here around 5 p.m.
Gibbs said the leaders are coming at the president’s request.
Sens. Jim Webb (D-VA) and Pat Leahy (D-VT) will be here today as well. Gibbs said the Webb discussion would focus mostly on Afghanistan and Pakistan but also would touch on health care. Webb was among a group of senators who asked that health care legislation be posted online for 72 hours before it gets a final vote.
He said Leahy was there in his capacity as chairman of the Judiciary Committee but also may discuss health care with Obama.
Gibbs also prognosticated on when a final health care bill might pass Congress.
“The president is still confident we can go home for the holidays with a health reform bill that bears his signature,” he said.
