Health Care Deadline in Limbo

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin says it is unlikely to have a have a health care bill ready for President Obama before the recess.

“We’re going to take a little longer to get it right,” Durbin told The Hill when asked about the oft-stated goal of a vote on or before Aug. 7, when a monthlong Senate recess begins. “Initially we had hoped for a full vote by then, but I don’t think it’s going to be possible.”

Majority Leader Harry Reid is sticking (at least publicly) to the deadline.

Asked Tuesday about the pre-recess deadline, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) had stuck to it, telling reporters “my desire is to get it done this work period … But the goal is not a deadline. The goal is comprehensive healthcare reform. People out there need it.”

Speaker Nancy Pelosi left open the possibility the House of Representatives will work through the recess. It is less likely the House will work through the recess if the Senate goes on vacation.