Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic leaders held a press availability this afternoon following a Democratic Whip meeting with President Obama in the Cannon Caucus Room. Below are the Speaker's opening remarks:
"Thank you very much, Mr. Whip. Yes, it was a great occasion for us to receive the President of the United States on this day when we will be making history with our vote and making progress for the American people.
"It is also, as Chris Van Hollen reminds us, the third anniversary of Democrats winning the House and Senate for the American people - November 7, 2006. So it is appropriate that the New Direction that we promised them at the time and that we have worked on since then, will be manifested today in the passage of this important legislation.
"It is very humbling to stand here at a time when we can associate ourselves with the work of those who passed Social Security, those who passed Medicare, and now we will pass health care reform. It is also appropriate that as we were in there with the President, that in the chair on the floor presiding over the debate was John Dingell, the person who gaveled down Medicare. So the continuity of this, the dedication over a long period of time, gives us strength and makes us humble.