White House sticks to healthcare deadline

WASHINGTON, March 9 (UPI) -- The White House said Tuesday it still believes the U.S. House will vote on a healthcare bill by March 18 even though a key lawmaker suggested that's unlikely.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs renewed his earlier prediction that the House will vote on the Senate healthcare bill before President Barack Obama leaves March 18 for a weeklong trip to Indonesia and Australia.

Gibbs' comments came hours after House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said the House has never committed to a vote by March 18.

"None of us has mentioned the 18th other than Mr. Gibbs," Hoyer said. "We are trying to do this as soon as possible. That continues to be our objective."

Gibbs said the White House had based its prediction on "conversations with staff that I've had here in the building, and I've been given nothing that would change that advice that I was given last week."

Asked if the White House had contacted Hoyer's office about the timeline, Gibbs said, "I'm sure we've been in contact with members of Congress and the leadership. I don't know if they've had a specific conversation with him yet or not."

Hoyer said he could not promise passage of healthcare legislation or the 2010 budget before the Easter break, which begins March 27, The Hill reported.

"Our objective is to pass both before the Easter break," Hoyer said. "Is that going to be difficult? Yes. Is it a deadline? No.

"If we can, we can. If we can't, we can't. We will continue to pursue both items."

Hoyer noted the fight over abortion restrictions in the bill has yet to be resolved.