This won't be a long diary, but Chris Carney (D-PA) an alleged member of the "Stu-pack" is once again a "yes" vote. This is a big get because earlier this week, he was a "yes to no" vote because of his gripes with the Nelson language in the health care bill. Now, according to a tweet of a guy closely following the HCR debate, John Kraushaar, Carney is going to vote for the bill.
From Tweet Deck:
Big get for Pelosi -- Carney announces he's voting for bill. He in solid GOP district and rumored to be part of stupak bloc
This is a BIG get for Pelosi. If any of you live in Carney's district, thank and encourage him by contacting him!
UPDATE: From the Plumline:
Another key get for Dems: Rep Henry Cuellar of Texas, a former Yes who remained undecided as of this morning and wouldn’t return Obama’s calls, just issued a statement confirming he’ll vote for the Senate bill.
Cuellar, a Blue Dog, had previously expressed fiscal and Stupak-like concerns, but his statement says the CBO score and assurances from religious leaders persuaded him.
Cuellar was a "Yes" in November, but was undecided until today.
UPDATEx2: Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), who seemed on the fence earlier today, is a "yes".
From CapitolHillCNN on Twitter:
Dennis Cardoza will vote yes on hcare....I'm gonna vote for this bill proudly because we need reform.
UPDATEx3: Carney's statement on HCR, confirming he's a "yes":
"We’ve been through a long, difficult debate over health care. I’ve
listened to my constituents through 14 town halls and thousands of phone calls, personal visits and letters. I’ve talked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. And I’ve heard from health care experts,
economists, and the Congressional Budget Office, which estimates the
cost of the program.
Throughout this debate I have focused on several overarching priorities
and I believe, after careful review, that this bill addresses them. This
measure denies insurers the ability to reject coverage to people with
so-called ‘pre-existing conditions,’ a common sense provision that, as a
cancer survivor, I feel particularly strongly about. Covering maternity
care will no longer be optional for insurers; pregnant women and their
unborn children will be guaranteed coverage when they need it most. And the arbitrary and exorbitant insurance premium increases that have
hamstrung small businesses and working families will no longer be
possible.
This bill takes critical steps toward providing quality, affordable
health care while reducing the cost burden on our hardworking families
and small businesses. It does so in a fiscally responsible manner,
reducing the deficit by an estimated $138 billion over the first 10
years and an additional $1.2 trillion in the following decade.
This bill also continues the longstanding ban on public funding for
abortion, a factor that weighed heavily on my mind in recent days.
I am voting for this legislation because all Americans should have the
same insurance choices enjoyed by members of Congress and their
families. If it’s good enough for members of Congress, it is good enough for the people they represent."
P.S. If any of you think your congresscritter is on the fence at all, CONTACT THEM ASAP and as much as you can!