Updating The Health Care Whip Count
With 48 hours to go before health care votes are likely to begin, the ranks of undecideds are thinning. Here's the movement we've seen in the last 24 hours:
Update: Dems get yet another flip. Rep. Scott Murphy (D-NY) said today he'll vote for the bill, as the compromise bill is "much more fiscally conservative" than the one that previously came through the House.
Update: Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL) will flip her previous "no" vote, and will vote for the health care bill. She decided to switch her position because the latest version addressed "some of her previous concerns about its effect on small businesses and the federal deficit."
Update: In another switch, Rep. Allen Boyd (D-FL) announced he'll vote for the health care bill, "indicating that the legislation adheres to the four principles of responsible reform he has been fighting for." Boyd faces a primary challenge from state Sen. Al Lawson (D), who has attacked Boyd for his opposition to the bill.
Update: Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) told a Pittsburgh TV station today that he'll vote against the bill. But Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH) announced she'll back the bill, as will Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN), who is running for the SEN. None of these three announcements represents a change from their previous votes.
-- Reps. John Salazar (D-CO), Dale Kildee (D-MI), Joe Baca (D-CA), Tim Ryan (D-OH), Charlie Wilson (D-OH), Tom Perriello (D-VA) and Dennis Moore (D-KS) had been undecided after voting in favor in Nov. Now, they're all in the yes column.
-- Rep. John Boccieri (D-OH) said this morning he would vote for the bill after opposing the House version.
-- Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) is "leaning" in favor, but we're not calling the pro-life Dem a yes just yet. Rep. Henry Cuellar said on CNN last night he is also "leaning" toward the bill.
-- Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) called the CBO score "promising," but Baird remains firmly on the fence.
Meanwhile, take a look at other publications keeping tabs on the whip count this weekend. The Hill, Washington Post, CBS and FireDogLake all have their own tallies.
Keep an eye on Hotline OnCall over the weekend, as we'll post updates live from Capitol Hill. And if you need a reminder of our categories, click here.
Dem Targets: No On Reform, No On Stupak
Dem Longshots: No On Reform, Yes On Stupak
After the jump, the GOP targets and the GOP longshots.
GOP Targets: Yes On Reform, Yes On Stupak
GOP Longshots: Yes On Reform, No On Stupak
It was interesting...