WHIP COUNT: House Democrats' positions on the healthcare reform bill

The Hill

By The Hill staff - 03/16/10 08:41 AM ET


The Hill's survey/tracking of House Democrats' positions on healthcare reform legislation.

UPDATED: 3/17/10 at 10:31 a.m.



RECENT UPDATES: Reps. Dennis Kucinich, Ann Kirkpatrick, Tim Ryan, Gerry Connolly, Tom Perriello, Carol Shea Porter, Mike Doyle, Jason Altmire, Dan Maffei, John Boccieri, Steve Kagen, Dennis Moore, Suzanne Kosmas and Scott Murphy





House Democrats not on this list are expected to vote yes. However, some members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus who are not mentioned below have threatened to vote no unless the Senate's immigration-related provisions are changed.





All House Republicans are expected to vote no.



If every member votes and all GOP lawmakers vote no, the maximum number of Democratic defections to pass a bill is 37, which would result in a 216-215 tally.



* -- Voted for Stupak amendment in November


(Y) -- Voted yes in November


(N) -- Voted no in November



Firm No, Leaning No, Likely No (36)

John Adler (N.J.) (N) Citing cost containment, Adler told the Courier-Post that he will vote against Senate measure

Michael Arcuri (N.Y.) (Y) Some reports have him as firm no, but Rules Committee member hasn't closed the door yet

John Barrow (Ga.) * (N) Voted no last year in committee and on floor. Likely no

Marion Berry (Ark.) * (Y) Has been critical of the president since announcing his retirement. Strong backer of Stupak language. Voted yes in Budget Committee markup on March 15

Dan Boren (Okla.) * (N) Won't be changing his mind — firm no

Rick Boucher (Va.) (N) GOP target who has told local press outlets in Virginia he has major problems with Medicare cuts and "unsavory dealmaking" that benefited Nebraska, Louisiana and Florida. Leaning no

Bobby Bright (Ala.) * (N) Voted against House health bill, stimulus and climate change. Firm no

Allen Boyd (Fla.) (N) Facing primary challenge. Voted no on education reform bill expected to move with healthcare reform as part of reconciliation. Voted no on March 15 during Budget Committee markup

Chris Carney (Pa.) * (Y) Carney told the Scranton Times-Shamrock, "As I said publicly, I can't vote for a bill that will publicly fund abortion."

Ben Chandler (Ky.) * (N) His office told The Hill on March 15: “Congressman Chandler’s position on the bill remains the same. He expects to vote against the legislation.”

Travis Childers (Miss.) * (N) In toss-up reelection race

Jerry Costello (Ill.) * (Y) Told the Akron Telegraph March 14 that White House and leadership "bungled" healthcare reform. Most of the calls, e-mails and letters he has received have advised a no vote. Says he opposes Senate bill, but doesn't sound like an absolute no

Artur Davis (Ala.) * (N) Running for governor, but will make sure to return to D.C. to vote no

Lincoln Davis (Tenn.) * (N) Voted no first time, and most expect him to vote no again. He has not commented publicly.

Joe Donnelly (Ind.) * (Y) Among the Stupak dozen — will vote no unless abortion language in Senate bill is changed, according to The Rochester Sentinel

Steve Driehaus (Ohio) * (Y) In toss-up race in November who is ardent backer of Stupak language. Now sounds like a very firm no. Told the Cincinnati Enquirer, "They are going to have to do it without me and without the other pro-life Democrats."

Chet Edwards (Texas) (N) Perennial GOP target. Edwards spokesman told CNN he will vote no. Votes no at March 15 Budget Committee markup

Luis Gutierrez (Ill.) (Y) Citing immigration language, Gutierrez said on MSNBC that "I can't support this bill." Lawmaker has lambasted the president on not moving immigration reform yet. Warned that other Hispanic lawmakers will also vote no

Larry Kissell (N.C.) (N) GOP target, but reelection chances on the rise. Firm no

Frank Kratovil (Md.) (N) Voted for climate change; says he will vote no

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (S.D.) (N) Congresswoman told the Rapid City Journal she's a no, noting she is not a fan of reconciliation. She also voted no on education reform bill expected to move in reconciliation with healthcare reform

Tim Holden (Pa.) * (N) Voted against healthcare and climate change in 2009. Told The Republican Herald that he is a no, citing abortion and "significant" cuts to Medicare and Medicaid

Daniel Lipinski (Ill.) * (Y) Will not vote for abortion language in Senate bill, but has other concerns as well. Democratic leaders cannot count on Lipinski

Jim Marshall (Ga.) * (N) Perennial GOP target, but favored to win reelection. Told The Hill he's a no

Jim Matheson (Utah) * (N) President Obama this year tapped brother for post, but Matheson still a likely no

Mike McIntyre (N.C.) * (N) Seven-term lawmaker rejected House health bill and climate change. Spokesman tells The Hill McIntyre is a no. Expected to win reelection easily even though Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won district

Mike McMahon (N.Y.) (N) Suggested last month he was a no to the Staten Island Advance. McMahon told The Hill on March 12 he is leaning no. Voted no on education reform bill that is expected to move with healthcare reform in reconciliation

Charlie Melancon (La.) * (N) Senate hopeful voted no in November and no in committee. Likely no

Walt Minnick (Idaho) (N) One of the House's most conservative members. Firm no

Collin Peterson (Minn.) * (N) Ag chairman not shy in bucking leadership. Firm no

Mike Ross (Ark.) * (N) Voted for bill in committee, but not since. Firm no

Heath Shuler (N.C.) * (N) CNN reporting Shuler is a no. Doesn't hold his tongue when he opposes Democratic leaders. Critic of reconciliation

Ike Skelton (Mo.) * (N) GOP targeting his seat. Armed Services Committee chairman is a firm no

Bart Stupak (Mich.) * (Y) No deal with leadership on abortion = no vote on final bill for Stupak and other Democratic opponents of abortion rights

Gene Taylor (Miss.) * (N) Has been a firm no all Congress. Constituents last summer urged him to get others to vote no

Harry Teague (N.M.) * (N) Told The Hill that he will review bill to see if final bill brings costs down. If "we are in the same place — a no"









Firm Yes (8)

Dale Kildee (Mich.) * (Y) Not one of Stupak's Dozen

Steve Kagen (Wis.) (Y) Told Fox 11 in Wisconsin that he prefers more incremental approach. But on March 13 he said, "We're going to find and secure enough votes to pass healthcare..."

Ann Kirkpatrick (Ariz.) (Y) Congresswoman on March 16 said she's a yes, asserting bill will enhance the healthcare of children and seniors. Kirkpatrick voted against climate change bill in 2009. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won Kirkpatrick's district by 10 points in the 2008 presidential election

Dennis Kucinich (Ohio) (N) His yes vote, announced on March 17, is a huge boost to the chances of healthcare reform passing. Kucinich is first no vote in 2009 to commit to voting for yes. Before supporting bill, Kucinich had blasted it on cable news networks

Dan Maffei (N.Y.) (Y) On March 16, Maffei said, "I'm proud to support this legislation."

Silvestre Reyes (Texas) * (Y) Intelligence panel chairman on board

Tim Ryan (Ohio) * (Y) On March 16, Ryan said on the House floor, "We need to pass this bill." Congressman voted for Stupak language

Carol Shea-Porter (N.H.) (Y) Spoke out favorably on healthcare reform on the House floor on March 16. In a toss-up reelection race, according to Cook Political Report.



Leaning Yes or Likely Yes (17)

Joe Baca (Calif.) * (Y) Must-have for leadership. Said recently country can't wait any longer for reform. Voted for Stupak language

Russ Carnahan (Mo.) (Y) In competitive race this fall, but should win

Gerry Connolly (Va.) (Y) Obama to visit Connolly's Fairfax, Va.-district on Friday. But Obama doesn't have to worry about Connolly's vote. He is a very likely yes. Voted yes in Budget Committee markup on March 15

Joe Courtney (Conn.) (Y) Wary of excise tax, but likely yes

Mike Doyle (Pa.) * (Y) Doyle told The Hill on March 16 that he will likely vote yes

Bob Etheridge (N.C.) * (Y) Passed up Senate run. Voted yes in Budget Committee markup on March 15

Jim Himes (Conn.) (Y) Must-have vote for leadership. Likely yes

Jim Langevin (R.I.) * (Y) Langevin's seat not in danger this fall. He has previously fended off primary challenges. Voted yes in March 15 Budget Committee markup

Mike Michaud (Maine) * (Y) Likely yes

Dennis Moore (Kan.) (Y) Retiring this year. New Budget Committee member voted yes in March 15 markup

Jim Oberstar (Minn.) * (Y) Wants to vote yes, but also wants Stupak language. Oberstar sounds like a firm yes vote

David Obey (Wis.) * (Y) Waiting to review bill language; likely yes

Vic Snyder (Ark.) * (Y) Not seeking reelection. Snyder said on Fox News he is leaning yes

John Spratt (S.C.) * (Y) Budget Committee chairman is in competitive reelection race. Spratt will soon be trying to collect votes for his budget resolution. Voted yes in Budget Committee markup on March 15

Anthony Weiner (N.Y.) (Y) On March 12, Weiner noted that 290 times this Congress, the Senate has failed to act on bills passed by the House, adding, "Fool us once, shame on you, fool me 290 times, shame on us." Regardless, Weiner is a very likely yes

Charlie Wilson (Ohio) * (Y) Considered less vulnerable this fall than other Ohio Democrats. Sounds like a yes vote, telling CQ he is willing to vote for Senate bill

John Yarmuth (Ky.) (Y) Considered a team player. Likely yes. Voted yes in Budget Committee markup on March 15



Undecided (53)

Jason Altmire (Pa.) * (N) On March 16, Altmire told Fox Business Network that he has major problem with Democrats' apparent "deem and pass" strategy, calling it "wrong." Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) told McClatchy he is targeting Altmire, who many view as key to passage. Voted no in committee and on floor, but bottom line is his yes vote is gettable.

Brian Baird (Wash.) (N) Retiring member who bucked party on Iraq war surge. Another target of Clyburn

Melissa Bean (Ill.) (Y) Conservative Democrat well-positioned for midterm election

Shelley Berkley (Nev.) (Y) Told Politico she does not like the Senate bill

Sanford Bishop Jr. (Ga.) * (Y) Favors Stupak provision

Tim Bishop (N.Y.) (Y) Must-have vote for leadership. Bishop's office told CNN that the New York lawmaker wants major changes to Senate bill. Voted yes in March 15 Budget Committee markup

John Boccieri (Ohio) * (N) In a bad sign for the White House, Boccieri did not appear with President Barack Obama at his March 15 speech in Ohio. Boccieri, a GOP target, told Foxnews.com, "I'm not afraid to cast a tough vote..." Clyburn has publicly said he is leaning on Boccieri, whose vote could go a long way in determining whether healthcare reform will pass

Michael Capuano (Y) Wanted to be a senator, but doesn't trust the Senate. TPM reported that Capuano is leaning no. In an e-mail to supporters, Capuano said he has many problems with Senate measure

Dennis Cardoza (Calif.) * (Y) Secured language for district before last year's vote

Jim Cooper (Tenn.) * (Y) Has had up-and-down relationship with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)

Jim Costa (Calif.) * (Y) Secured project for his district before November vote

Henry Cuellar (Texas) * (Y) Cuellar backs Stupak language but undecided. Cuellar's vote has been one of rampant speculation, but the office told The Daily Caller he is undecided. Under pressure from Speaker and the president, Cuellar backed the climate change bill and House healthcare measure last year.

Kathy Dahlkemper (Pa.) * (Y) GOP target. Her yes vote could be key to passage. Strong backer of Stupak language

Brad Ellsworth (Ind.) * (Y) Senate hopeful who is big supporter of Stupak language

Bill Foster (Ill.) (Y) GOP target

Marcia Fudge (Ohio) (Y) Fudge is undecided, according to wkyc.com. Obama lobbying for her vote, giving her a ride on Air Force One on March 15

Gabrielle Giffords (Ariz.) (Y) GOP target

Bart Gordon (Tenn.) * (N) Retiring committee chairman. Clyburn especially wants his vote

Raul Grijalva (Ariz.) (Y) Despite many threats, Arizona liberal expected to vote yes

John Hall (N.Y.) (Y) Democratic leaders may lose other Dems from N.Y., but need to keep Hall on board

Debbie Halvorson (Ill.) (Y) Politically vulnerable, but favored to win her reelection race

Baron Hill (Ind.) * (Y) Passed up Senate run

Paul Kanjorski (Pa.) * (Y) GOP target. Also voted with education reform bill that will move with healthcare reform in reconciliation

Marcy Kaptur (Ohio) * (Y) Voted with leadership first time around, but doesn't toe the party line. Wants Stupak language but that's not a deal breaker. Voted yes during Budget Committee markup. Likely to move to lean yes category soon

Mary Jo Kilroy (Ohio) (Y) In toss-up race this November

Ron Kind (Wis.) (Y) Represents competitive district. Voted against bill in committee

Ron Klein (Fla.) (Y) GOP target

Suzanne Kosmas (Fla.) (N) President Obama urges her to vote yes in the Oval Office, according to March 16 AP report

Betsy Markey (Colo.) (N) Was a late no last time. In early March, Markey declined to be interviewed by Denver Post on her position on bill. Likely target for Democratic leaders

Jerry McNerney (Calif.) (Y) Waiting for final language. There are false reports of him being a firm no

Harry Mitchell (Ariz.) (Y) GOP target

Alan Mollohan (W.Va.) * (Y) In November, seat was considered safe. Now, he's in a tight race

Chris Murphy (Conn.) (Y) GOP target

Scott Murphy (N.Y.) (N) President Obama urges Murphy to vote yes in Oval Office meeting, according to March 16 AP report. Reelection race looks good, for now. Told local media he might vote yes

Richard Neal (Mass.) * (Y) Better vote yes if he wants to take Ways and Means gavel; fan of Stupak language

Glenn Nye (Va.) (N) In toss-up race

Solomon Ortiz (Texas) * (Y) Was a late yes last time around

Bill Owens (N.Y.) (Y) One of first votes in Congress was yes on House health bill; media reports have him as undecided

Tom Perriello (Va.) * (Y) Took a step toward a yes by endorsing Senate abortion language on March 16. Still has not said how he will vote. In toss-up race this fall; Pelosi had long talk with the Virginia Democrat on March 10 on the House floor

Earl Pomeroy (N.D.) * (Y) Voted against bill in committee, and for it on the House floor

Nick Rahall (W.Va.) * (Y) Another panel chairman on the fence

Ciro Rodriguez (Texas) * (Y) Considered by Cook Political Report to "likely" retain seat

John Salazar (Colo.) * (Y) GOP target

Loretta Sanchez (Calif.) (Y) Was a late yes in November

Mark Schauer (Mich.) (Y) In toss-up race this fall

Kurt Schrader (Ore.) (Y) Budget Committee member didn't vote during March 15 markup. In competitive reelection race.

Zack Space (Ohio) * (Y) Voted yes in committee and yes on the floor last year

Adam Smith (Wash.) (Y) Was a late yes in November

Betty Sutton (Ohio) (Y) GOP target

John Tanner (Tenn.) * (N) House deputy whip not running for reelection, but he still will need to be convinced to get to yes. Voted no in committee and on floor

Dina Titus (Nev.) (Y) Her office told The Hill the congresswoman is undecided. Voted no in committee and yes on the floor last year

Paul Tonko (N.Y.) (Y) Waiting for Congressional Budget Office numbers

David Wu (Ore.) (Y) Was undecided for three hours during 2003 Medicare drug vote, then voted with the GOP







Bob Cusack, Molly K. Hooper, Jeffrey Young, Jared Allen, Mike O'Brien, John Owre, Jennifer Swift, Drew Wheatley, Jurgen Boerema and Tony Lange contributed to this list.