Democratic Rep. Betsy Markey intends to vote for a compromise health reform bill, a move that bolsters the hopes of party leaders looking to pass President Barack Obama's key domestic policy initiative.
Markey, D-Fort Collins, is one of 39 House members who voted against a health reform bill that passed in November. That group has been courted intensely in recent weeks as Democrats look for 216 votes in support of a compromise measure, which scraps the so-called 'public option,' among other changes, from the House bill they earlier opposed.
"I have come to the conclusion that I am going to support this bill," Markey said in a conference call with reporters.
Two weeks ago, Markey said she was still uncertain about how she would vote: "We don't yet know what the House may be asked to vote on in the coming weeks, but when we do I'll look at that bill like I look at every bill that comes up in the House -- through the eyes of a Colorado small businesswoman," she said in a release.
CBO numbers released today likely swayed her vote, as Democrats are now pushing the measure as the biggest deficit reduction bill any member could ever vote for. |