Steps to Passing Healthcare

Update March 13: Pelosi has 34 defections so far with many undecideds. You'd think it would be easier to count. Instead, it's a big game. Pelosi should be able to go around with a sheet of paper and check people off, but Congress members seem to like to play coy. Pelosi has to be nothing short of a miracle worker.

If every House member votes and all Republicans reject the bill as expected, Pelosi can only afford 37 Democratic defections. That breakdown of the votes would lead to a 216-215 tally.

First, the House must pass the Senate's version of the health-care bill and send it to the president for his signature. It would immediately become law.

But because most House Democrats don't like the Senate bill -- due to the toxic "Cornhusker Kickback," etc. -- a second step is required. The House would then use a budget procedure called reconciliation to passes a much smaller bill of "fixes."

And finally as the third step: the Senate must pass the same fixes as the House. This is the point at which Senate Republicans believe they can trip up the bill's progress.

This three-step process requires House Democrats to trust the Senate counterparts to pass the exact fixes they want -- and some, says Gregg, are understandably skeptical. First Read

Pelosi says "I'm delighted that the president will be here for the passage of this bill:"

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