One House Down, One To Go

Saturday night, the U.S. House of Representatives wrapped up months of hard work and passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act. This historic vote will finally make real the promise of quality, affordable health care for the American people.

The House's action brings us closer than ever before to comprehensive health insurance reform. The focus now turns to the U.S. Senate as we urge them to follow the House's lead and get the bill to President Obama before the end of this year.

Thanks to the long hours and hard work the Senate has already put in, the Senate bill is almost ready to be sent to the floor for debate.

Thank you for your hard work on getting health care reform to this stage, closer than we have ever been in our nation's history. Your phone calls, emails and letters have had an incredible effect. As we turn our attention to the Senate, I ask you to remain vigilant and continue helping to move our country forward.

Thank you particularly to the Democratic members of the Texas delegation that voted for the bill. If any of these members represent you, please make sure to call or write their office and thank them for their support.

• Congressman Henry Cuellar (Laredo)
• Congressman Lloyd Doggett (Austin)
• Congressman Charlie Gonzalez (San Antonio)
• Congressman Al Green (Houston)
• Congressman Gene Green (Houston)
• Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (Mercedes)
• Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (Houston)
• Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (Dallas)
• Congressman Solomon Ortiz (Corpus Christi)
• Congressman Silvestre Reyes (El Paso)

Below are some links to articles from the past couple of days about the passage of the House bill and pending action in the Senate.

CNN: House Passes Health Care Reform Bill
In a historic vote, the House passed a bill that provides stability and security for Americans who have insurance; quality affordable options for those who don’t; and brings down the cost of health care for families, businesses, and the government while strengthening the financial health of Medicare. It is also fully paid for and will reduce our long-term federal deficit.

The Hill: House Democrats hope their health vote will 'galvanize' the Senate
The House of Representatives’ historic step brings us far closer to comprehensive health insurance reform than ever before. Thanks to their hard work, we are just two steps away from achieving health insurance reform in America. House Democrats hope their passing a health bill will help propel the Senate to approve legislation.

New York Times: Obama Presses Senate to Pass Its Health Bill
President Obama appeared Sunday in the Rose Garden to call on senators to “take up the baton and bring this effort to the finish line.” He continued, “For years we’ve been told that this couldn’t be done.” Of the American people, he said, “Moments like this are why they sent us here.”