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Fort Hood Shooting Investigation, Health Care Reform Showdown
Aired November 07, 2009 - 12:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD. CNN NEWS ANCHOR: We've got a lot coming your way throughout the day. Of course, what's taking place on Capitol Hill and inside Washington and beyond. Also, we're going to take you to Texas and give you more on the investigation of this shooting that took place at Fort Hood, Texas. We're closely watching developments at this hour. Doctors at Scott and White Memorial Hospital in nearby Temple will update reporters on the wounded.
Let's go to CNN Samantha Hayes who's joining us live from Temple, Texas.
So Samantha, 30 people hospitalized, that we do know. How are they doing?
SAMANTHA HAYES, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, that's what we're waiting to hear. We imagine that some are in more serious conditions than others, and at the news conference coming up in about a half hour from now, we hope to hear more. We may hear more from the Texas governor. Texas governor, Rick Perry, who we understand has been meeting with some of the injured here at the hospital, and may update us when he comes out to speak, as well.
In terms of the latest in the investigations, Fort Hood officials say that the suspect fired more than 100 rounds into that soldier readiness facility Thursday afternoon, and had two weapons on him. Some type of revolver and also a semiautomatic pistol, and they believe it was the semiautomatic that was his primary weapon that he fired into that enclosed space, and they say that that weapon, in addition to the enclosed area, the space where this happened, both, of course, contributed to the high number of casualties, more than 50 that have been counted in this horrible tragedy.
One of the Fort Hood officials said yesterday that the investigation is going to be a slow process, and one of the reasons for that is that yesterday, Thursday, at the readiness facility, there were hundreds of soldiers lined up getting ready to deploy and they were doing everything from getting their medical paperwork in line to having eye exams and different things on their own check list that they needed to take care of before deploying. And many, many of those, all of them, really, investigators are going to want to talk to.
And if you've ever been in a courtroom when one of these cases in a mass shooting is being tried, they go through every step that the alleged shooter took, every witness statement that they can to have a very tight case, a rock solid case and that certainly is the primary focus of investigators, right now. So, of course, this may take some time. Right now as well, they're going to want to talk to the suspect, Major Nidal Hasan, who has been moved to a hospital in San Antonio. He is unconscious, but he is in stable, critical, but stable condition, and they certainly want to interrogate him as soon as possible.
They searched his apartment, yesterday. They confiscated some personal items. They talked to neighbors, tried to get more of an idea of sort of what he was thinking or what was going on prior to this mass shooting that happened on Thursday, and as more information is gathered, we, of course, have heard news reports given some indication what happened in the hours before the shooting.
Also at this point, Fredricka, the personal stories of these soldiers are starting to emerge, and you know, it's really heartbreaking. You know, a young soldier from Illinois who enrolled in the Army so he could eventually follow his dreams of getting into music theory. Another, just graduated from high school in West Jordan, Utah, and he was getting ready to be deployed to Afghanistan, I believe. And there's many, many others like that. You get a sense of the commitment to the country that many of these young people showed and their stories coming out and I'm sure we'll hear more on that later.
Again, waiting on a press conference in about a half an hour. We'll fill you in as the day goes on of any more developments.
WHITFIELD: All right, Samantha Hayes, thanks so much. We'll get back to you and that press conference as it gets underway.
So, the alleged shooter, a Muslim, but President Obama is cautioning Americans not to make the shootings about Islam. The president today hailed the heroes who emerged from Thursday's horror.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA (D), UNITED STATES PRESIDENT: Even as we saw the worst of human nature on full display, we also saw the best of America. We saw soldiers and civilians alike rushing to the aid of fallen comrades, tearing bullet riddled clothes to treat the injured. Using blouses as tourniquets, taking down the shooter even as they bore wounds themselves.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: President Obama plans to attend a memorial service for Fort Hood victims. The time and of course the date have not yet been set.
All right, the shootings at Fort Hood changed the lives of dozens of family. Tonight, a CNN primetime special continues the search for answers. The post, the suspect, the wounded, a CNN special investigation "Inside the Fort Hood Shootings" tonight at 8:00 Eastern Time.
Held without bond, that's what an Orange County Florida judge ordered this morning for Jason Rodriguez. He is the 40-year-old suspect in yesterday's deadly shooting at an Orlando, Florida, office building. Witnesses say Rodriguez, a former employee of Reynolds Smith and Hill came into his former workplace and simply opened fire. Six people were shot. One of them was killed. Police say when Rodriguez was arrested hey apologized. So far he faces one count of first-degree murder. The five wounded people are in stable condition.
This hour in Pennsylvania, they are remembering the victims of 9/11. Today is the groundbreaking in Shanksville for a permanent memorial for the victim of United flight 93 -- 130,000 people visit the site every year, even though there is no permanent memorial. Organizers plan to officially open the national park on the tenth anniversary of 9/11, and that is 2011.
In New York, people are gathered around another 9/11 memorial, a floating memorial. It is the "USS New York." The Navy's newest ship is officially being commissioned right now. The "New York" was built using 7.5 tons of steel taken from the rubble of the World Trade Center. The ship's the motto is "never forget." It passed by Ground Zero early this morning during its maiden voyage into New York Harbor. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke at the ceremony just moments ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HILLARY CLINTON (D), US SECRETARY OF STATE: The motto of the "USS New York" is "Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget." By commissioning this ship today we reaffirm the best and the worst of humanity that we have seen from September 11 to Fort Hood.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: And now underway, the showdown over health care reform in the House. CNN Elaine Quijano is live at the White House, and Brianna Keilar is on Capitol Hill.
Good morning to both of you. Or I should say good afternoon to both of you ladies. Brianna, our Democrat, close to the number of 218 votes. I know as of last night, some say there were about 205 committed Democrats?
Oops. Brianna, can you hear me OK?
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Hi. Well, any idea, about how many Democrats or maybe even a Republican this go-round that have committed to this bill?
KEILAR: You know, at this point we're not sure if there's going to be any Republican support. Obviously the hope for Republicans is that none of their members will put their support behind this bill and Democrats are hopeful they will have the votes to pass this, This 218 votes, when this vote does come down to the floor.
But we are in for the long haul today and there are a lot of moving parts. One of the biggest ones, Fred, has to do with abortion. There are dozens of anti-abortion Democrats, yes, Democrats, who are against abortion rights, and they struck a deal last night with Democratic leaders. This is a deal that strengthens some of the language when it comes to federal dollars going towards abortion funding, and this is something that has made liberal members hopping mad. That's why we're really trying to figure out the numbers and why it's kind of difficult because so many members and some liberal Democrats and conservative Democrats oppose to each other on this, it's just really difficult to tell.
So, bottom line, here's what happened with this deal. These anti- abortion Democrats got their way in such that not only will there be no federal dollars in the form of subsidies that would go to low income and middle class American, none of that money would go towards allowing people to buy insurance that includes abortion coverage, because a lot of insurance plans right now they do include abortion coverage. Not only that, but this goes a step farther than that. Some who use, completely, all of their own money, private dollars, these are people who would not be getting subsidies from the government, people who would be buying private insurance plans, some of them would not be able to purchase insurance plans that include abortion coverage, because they would be purchasing that insurance on basically a marketplace that would be set up by the federal government.
So, that's really the step that was taken a bit further by these anti- abortion Democrats, and the as I said, there were some liberal Democrats who are so mad about this, Fred, so we're really trying to see how think shakes out and how it affects the votes today. This is another, the deal that I just spoke of, that a proposed change that these anti-abortion Democrats are able to take a vote on today and so that's going to be a showdown in itself in addition to a final vote on his health care reform bill in the House.
WHITFIELD: All right, Brianna Keilar on Capitol Hill. We know President Obama is making his way to Capitol Hill at some point today.
KEILAR: He's actually here.
WHITFIELD: He is there already? OK, well, might this face time, is there a feeling that this kind of face time really could make a difference? There could be some real sway?
KEILAR: There is a sense of that. I spoke with one aide who says they're bringing him in as the closer, they're hoping that he can strengthen their numbers in this vote that they're going to take. At some point today, at least that's the plan, and right now he is behind some closed doors speaking with all of Democrats in the House. I mean, we're talking a matter of maybe 100 yards behind me. We're actually expecting that he's going to be coming out here with Democratic leaders and speaking. So, definitely we're waiting to hear what they says there, Fred.
WHITFIELD: Great, Brianna Keilar, thanks on Capitol Hill, thanks so much. Let's go to Elaine Quijano who's at White House.
Perhaps, Elaine, you have a little inside detail on perhaps what kind of conversation is taking place behind closed doors between the president and those lawmakers? ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, it certainly would be fascinating to be in there, a fly on the wall, so to speak, Fredricka. But, you know, the political stakes, first of all we should underscore, are sky-high for this president. You know that health care really is his No, 1 domestic priority. So, just by going there and basically having this rare in-person push with lawmakers automatically right there raises the stakes certainly.
So, what is the sales pitch you ask, that the president is expected to give here? How does he hope to get some of these Democrats who are frankly concerned about their own political fortunes down the line here, how does he get some of those perhaps wary Democrats to support this bill?
Well, aides say that the pitch here is quite simple. That the president is basically going to say that lawmakers need to do this for their country, that this is for their constituents and also not only for people who are currently losing their health insurance every day. You hear about more and more Americans losing health insurance, or people who have already lost their health insurance, but even people who already have insurance right now but want it to be more affordable.
Whether or not, though, Fredricka, that's going to be enough to assuage some of the concerns out there, still very much an open question. We should tell you that we are expecting to hear from the president for sure in the rose garden this afternoon around 2:30 Eastern Time, I'm told by a senior aide that he is expected to focus his remarks on health care, and we'll wait to see here, keeping an eye on that door where the Democrats are meeting along with the president to see if perhaps he decides to say anything coming out of this meeting. I don't think it's likely, but again, we do expect to hear him talk about health care when he comes out in the rose garden later this afternoon -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And you know, Elaine, just before the hour we heard from Representative Cantor, we heard from Boehner and other Republicans who said we're just simply not endorsing this. The president has said for a very long time now he wanted a bipartisan approach to this health care reform. It seems as though now perhaps because he's meeting with Democrats, he said forget the bipartisanship thing. Do you suppose he or the White House is expressing any way real little disappointment that if there is no Republican onboard with this that perhaps that will be a defeat in part because it is not bipartisan?
QUIJANO: Yeah, well obviously, the White House, the president, would very much have liked to see Republican support behind this bill. It remains to be seen, as we heard Brianna say, whether or not some Republicans do in fact get behind this, but the climate being what it is, the political atmosphere here in Washington, the reality of the situation is what you're seeing unfold right now on Capitol Hill, and that is the president is being brought in here to try and seal the deal with some very skeptical, perhaps, concerned Democrats in his own party who are having perhaps reservations about this.
It shows you how politically difficult this issue is right now and we just saw what happened in the elections this past week. Don't forget in Virginia and in New Jersey, Democrats losing in elections, there. All of that is contributing to the political climate here as the president tries to make a push here on the House side to get legislation passed.
WHITFIELD: It's going to be a fascinating a day on Capitol Hill and from the White House. Thanks so much, Elaine Quijano.
OK, so ready or not, the nation's health care system might be changing. New polls show Americans are as fractured on reform as a broken leg.
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WHITFIELD: All right, live pictures on Capitol Hill. On the other side of that door, closed-door sessions involving the president and Democrat representatives as they try to come to an agreement on a health care reform bill. The president, of course, wants to try and get as many Democrats onboard. He needs 218 votes in which to pass it. A vote could actually happen as early as today, or maybe tomorrow. But we heard earlier in the hour, very few Republicans onboard with this plan. But, momentarily the president should be emerging from those doors after meeting face-to-face with Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill.
All right, Meantime, a new CNN poll suggests that most Americans want congress to keep working on health care reform bills, but those respondents disagree on how the work should actually continue.
CNN's deputy political director, Paul Steinhauser, joins us now with look at what people are saying, exactly.
So, kind of conflicting messages. Yes, they want them to work on health care reform, but they're not quite sure how then to work on it?
PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN DEPUTY POLITICAL DIR: Exactly. And this was national poll we did. And take a look, you hit it right on the head there, Fred. Yeah, Americans are saying get something done, but that's where the agreement ends. Check out the numbers from CNN (INAUDIBLE) Corporation and you can see that about a quarter, right there at the top, say, pass the bills you're working on right now with just a few changes. About one-third of Americans, our poll suggests, say all right, keep working on those bills, but you got to make some major changes. Another one in four say you know what, start from scratch. And that's kind of what the Republicans were just saying in that news conference, just now. And finally at the bottom, Fred, 15 percent that we questioned said, you know what, stop work altogether on health care. Just keep it the way it is.
WHITFIELD: Oh, that's interesting. So perhaps if the president has his way, and emerges from those doors feeling like he has the 218 votes, at least from Democrats, that he needs, might that be, I guess, in concert with what we're seeing it those poll numbers? That people do like the idea of some sort of health care reform, but might be a little dissatisfied with this?
STEINHAUSER: Yeah. It may not be exactly what they want but it is, in the eyes of some, progress. And you were talking about with Brianna and Elaine as well, no Republicans really expected to come onboard here in the House on this Democratic health care bill.
One reason why, the public option. Take a look at these numbers from Americans. You know, the public option is a government plan that would compete with private insurance. Americans, a slight majority, favor public option and it's been that way in CNN polling since August. You can see right there, 55 percent support it and 44 percent oppose.
You know, Democrats say the public option would bring increased competition, lower costs. And we hear from the Republicans just the opposite that the public option, the government plan, would eventually drive private insurance under and would mean government takeover of your health care.
WHITFIELD: The news of the moment, health care reform. What's going to happen once the president comes out of those doors after meeting with Democrats on the Hill, but also, you look at the front page of all newspapers across the country, we're talking about unemployment. The unemployment numbers coming out yesterday are very dismal.
STEINHAUSER: Yeah, 10.2 percent unemployment rate, first time it's in double digits in 26 years. The economy, Fred, as we know, it's been issue No. 1 with Americans for about two years, now. But, what we just noticed in our new poll as well as concerns on the economy, they're on the uptick.
Check this out, 47 percent of the people we questioned right now say the economy is issue No. 1, that's ahead of everything else. You can also see that's a 6-point jump from back in August with 41 percent saying it was the most important issue on their mind.
Specifically about unemployment, how do Americans think Barack Obama is doing dealing with this jobless issue in the country? Check this out these numbers, as well and you can see Americans kind of are split right now. That's 47-52 disapproved, approved is within the sampling of our survey.
One thing is definitely sure. Earlier this year, Americans thought the president was doing a better job handling unemployment than he is right now and maybe that's because of a battle over the federal stimulus and whether that $787 billion is going to bring down unemployment.
WHITFIELD: OK, we see a door opening there on Capitol Hill as we continue to await, President Obama, to emerge after meeting face-to- face with a lot of Democrats. We know as of last night, Paul, there are about 205 Democrats that were committed to this bill, but there are a number of Democrats who are very concerned about the issues of abortion and coverage of immigrants, and so they have been holding out during their full support on this bill. So, it's going to be interesting to learn, and we may learn later this afternoon from the president, exactly what he was able to say, what was his best pitch.
I know Elaine Quijano is also at the White House, she gave us a pretty good synopsis of the approach that the president just might make. I'm going to bring her into this conversation, too, as we continue to wait for the president to emerge there.
And I wonder, Elaine, while health care is his baby, and he really wants to see it through, and we're seeing him actually exit right now. You see him right now. Not clear if he's going to step to a microphone. We see him there with House Speaker Pelosi, and Clyburn of South Carolina.
Questions are being shouluted out. Let's see if we can we hear. Steny Hoyer of Maryland also there, lots of handshakes. A little bit of a secret, what may have taken place behind closed doors thee, as the president tries to make an escape. Let's listen now, as South Carolina's Clyburn.
REP JAMES CLYBURN (R-SC), MAJORITY WHIP: Well, look, this back here. Shouldn't we move this further a little bit?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah, we can.
CLYBURN: Yeah. Absolutely. Thank you. Let me thank all of you for joining us here today. We just completed a whip meeting. And as you have noticed, we were graced today with the presence of the president of the United States. We had a very uplifting meeting. We had a meeting that allowed all of us to focus on exactly why we are here.
We feel that we are about to do today something that has been attempted now for almost 100 years. For 61 years ago, President Truman introduced his concept to the Congress and we have seen presidents time and time again re-introduce the concept and we have not gotten it done.
We believe that today, under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, John Larson, Javier Becerra and Chris van Hollen, we are on the cusp of making an historical decision on behalf of the American people. None of this would be possible without the tremendous and visionary leadership of the speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and I'm pleased to present her to you at this time.
NANCY PELOSI, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: 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, 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's 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.
When the President was speaking, I couldn't help but think of Senator Kennedy. Senator Kennedy called passing health care "the great unfinished business of our country." He also said it was about the character of our country that we do this. In the same letter that he said that to the President, as we listened to the inspirational remarks of the President, I was also reminded that in that same letter, Senator Kennedy said this, he said to the Mr. President: 'When I first came into public life, we had a young President who inspired a generation and inspired the world. As I leave," Senator Kennedy said, "I have hope because I know that we again have a young president who will inspire our country, a new generation and on behalf of our country, inspire the world."
Our President is indeed doing that. Without his leadership, we would not be in position to take the historic step we are doing. He has said to us: "We will measure our success in the progress that is made by America's working families." Today, we will make not only history, but progress for America's working families.
With that, I am pleased to yield to our distinguished Majority Leader, who, without whose leadership we most certainly would not be in position to win today. His knowledge of these issues, his strategic thinking about how to get us from here to there, and just persistence, and more important than all of that, the respect with which he is held in our Caucus for his opinion has gotten us where we are today. Mr. Steny Hoyer, Democratic Majority Leader of the Congress.
STENY HOYER (D), HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER: I want to thank my partner, the speaker of the house of representatives. Nancy Pelosi and I have worked side by side for many years to further the Democratic agenda, to make America better, to make sure that working families have the opportunities and the security that they want and they need.
I want to thank also Jim Clyburn. I've known Jim Clyburn for all of my adult life. We started out in the Young Democrats together, almost a half a century ago. Working on behalf of civil rights in this country, making sure that every American was treated on the basis of his being an American not the color of his skin or her skin.
Jim Clyburn and I are proud to stand with Nancy Pelosi, who is much, much younger than we are, to take a vital step in ensuring that every American has the opportunity to have access to affordable quality health care.
We were addressed in this room, in this caucus by America's first African-American president. How proud we were last November when he and Chicago stood and said about that woman who was over 100 years of age, the sweep of history that she had seen. She was alive when Teddy Roosevelt said, "We need health care for every American." Barack Obama, the man from Illinois, said, "We need health care for every American" and he said it to every American. And every candidate with whom he ran on the Democratic side and the Republican side said, we need to reform health care in America.
Today, we will reform health care for America in the House of Representatives. We will make sure that we reach out to make sure that every mom and dad in America knows that they will have health care availability for their child. They know they need that. That's not an option for them, it is a necessity for them, because they love their children.
We will vote today on the floor of the House of Representatives for not only all those children, but all those seniors and all Americans who want the security of knowing that they have health care and they can get health care that they can afford and that will give them the quality care they need.
I now want to yield to the Chairman of our Democratic Caucus who has held over 100 caucuses to inform our members, to make sure they knew what was in this bill and to indeed inform the public, Don Larsen of Connecticut.
REP. DON LARSEN (D), CONNECTICUT: Thank you, Steny. And what an honor to stand with this great leadership team, and more important to stand with an unbelievable caucus who comes together today with the implicit understanding that what we're creating is something unique here in America.
The combination of our great entrepreneurial, scientific, technological and innovative skills with the common wheel notion that the growth of this great nation cannot be achieved unless we enjoin 36 million Americans who go without insurance, and by our action today, they will now have that dream and that commitment come true.
God bless them. God bless America.
CLYBURN: Xavier? Xavier Becerra.
REP. XAVIER BECERRA (D), CALIFORNIA: The president of the United States urged us as Americans and as the privileged elected representatives of all Americans in this country to be on the right side of history. It's a glorious day to write a page of American history, and that's what we intend to do.
I'd now like to introduce the assistant to the speaker, Chris Van Hollen.
REP. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN (D), MARYLAND: Thank you, Xavier. This is a historical moment and as the speaker pointed out, it is the third anniversary since the day that the Democrats took back the majority in the House and we would not be at this juncture had it not been for the confidence of the American people.
And in the last election, the president and members of Congress running said we're no longer going to sweep our problems under the rug. It's time to confront the main challenges we confront in this history, and just this past week, there were only two campaigns around the country where the questions that we're deciding here in Congress and the question of health care reform were at the center of the campaigns.
And there were only two candidates in this country who were running, who would have a vote in working with President Obama and Speaker of the House and the Democratic majority in making a change in health care. Those two candidates were both Democrats and American people in those districts voted for both of them. And it was in one case -- district, where you had not had a Democrat for more than 150 years, about the time -- little -- about since the time of the Civil War, Bill Owens.
And so, those members are both here. They're joining with the president and the Democratic leadership to cast their votes today for health care reform, and those are the most recent votes and signals and messages sent by the American people on this very important issue.
CLYBURN: Thank you. Thank you very much, Chris. Any questions?
QUESTION: Do you anticipate that the Stupak Amendment will pass today?
CLYBURN: Well, we'll see. I expect for it to be -- so, I think it's Stupak, Pitts and Ellsworth. We plan to vote on them and we'll see. I'm not going to predict. I think all of you know that I never give out numbers. So, we'll see what happens.
QUESTION: Democrats said that you were furious -- some of your Democratic coleagues said you were furious that the Stupak Amendment is being included. Is that the case?
PELOSI: No. I was part of recommending that it be -- come to the floor as an amendment that both sides are whipping, the pro-choice side and others who want to support the amendment, but no. That was my recommendation to allow a vote on that amendment.
QUESTION: Does the president's appearance make a difference in helping get some of your final votes that you need?
CLYBURN: I figured it made a difference when -- helping us come together as a caucus. I don't know that it would do anything about adding to the numbers. It's -- we were here today to -- for the president to speak to the whip meeting about the old issue and we expect for the energy that he brought to this debate to be helpful to us on the floor, but I have not counted anything about numbers that he would add to it.
QUESTION: And that sort of to some degree defeats the purpose of the meeting.
CLYBURN: I'm sorry?
QUESTION: Wouldn't that to some degree defeat the purpose of the meeting? I mean ...
CLYBURN: The president needs to be doing what?
QUESTION: The purpose of the meeting to have him up here to maybe help bring across those final ...
CLYBURN: No. Why would that defeat the purpose of the meeting? The president's been with us many times before. This -- my lord. He's been to whip meetings before, he's been to caucus meetings before. We ask the president to join us whenever we think we need to come together as a caucus and to focus on each other's common agenda. Thank you.
Yes?
HOYER: I just want to make a comment on that. The president came to emphasize how important this is. He campaigned for over a year, and he told the American people we're going to make health care affordable and available for every American. He came here today to say this is what we said we will do. Let's do it. We're going to.
QUESTION: ..specifically mentioned the Stupak Amendment?
QUESTION: House Speaker?
WHITFIELD: All right. You heard those sentiments coming from the House leadership right there, democratic leadership that there will be health care reform after the president spent his time face to face meeting there with the majority leader, whip, house speaker, and others there having that face to face time.
We're expecting to hear from the president of the United States at 2:30 later on today Eastern time from the Rose Garden, perhaps to explain a little bit more about his last-minute push there to Democratic leaders.
And of course, we heard from Steny Hoyer who said today, we will reform health care for America. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying we will pass health care reform making, taking it even that more definitively further and then James Clyburn saying we're on the cusp of a historical decision.
Our Elaine Quijano is there at the White House as well. Elaine, it's difficult to know exactly what took place there behind those closed doors, but that kind of assurance coming from these Democratic leaders, it seems as though they feel more than confident that they have the 218 votes necessary, if indeed they are to vote today?
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: It sounded that way, Fredricka. And I have to tell you literally about a minute ago, we heard from a senior administration official -- I did -- about what the president did say to these Democrats behind closed doors. It basically echoed what we heard from the Democrats themselves.
The president made the case according to this official that Congress has a historic opportunity today to provide stability and security for those who have insurance, affordable coverage for those who don't and to bring down the cost of health care for families, small businesses and the government.
According to this senior official, the president also went on to say that this administration has made more progress, this administration and lawmakers as well, have made more progress on what they're calling comprehensive reform than any administration and any Congress in the past 70 years.
So, again, Fredricka, we're talking again about this idea of this being a historic moment here. That really appears to be the bottom line message. Again, really echoing what we heard from the Democrats there just a moment ago, that this is an opportunity that should not be allowed to slip by.
So, I have a feeling, Fredricka, we're going to hear the president talk about that again when he comes out and gives some remarks on health care. We're expecting that to happen 2:30 Eastern time. But again, that is the readout essentially from the senior official about this meeting -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And of course, we look forward to that, 2:30 Eastern time right here on CNN from the Rose Garden. We'll hear the president of the United States. Thanks so much, Elaine Quijano.
QUIJANO: Sure.
WHITFIELD: Meantime, other big stories we're following for the day, we're talking about the follow-up to the Ft. Hood shooting. You're looking at a position right now outside the Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas. A briefing is to take place momentarily. The majority of those injured during that shooting are being treated here at this hospital. We'll get an update from doctors right after this.
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WHITFIELD: All right, live pictures right now of the White House because now we understand in about 30 minutes or so, President Obama will be making an address from the Rose Garden, perhaps in demure celebration after meeting face to face with Democratic House leadership, he wants some assurances that perhaps today might be history made in the form of health care reform.
We heard from a number of Democratic House leadership and they said that today is the day that they will be be making history on health care reform. We'll get a better sense from the president in about 30 minutes from now from the Rose Garden at the White House exactly what was said, what was promised and what he anticipates from a Capitol Hill in respect to health care reform. We'll of course cover that live. All right, now all the facts are not in. But a sketchy biography is emerging about alleged Ft. Hood gunman Major Nidal Malik Hasan. Investigators are collecting evidence from his home and his office and they're talking to his neighbors as well.
Our Kate Bolduan has the latest on this probe.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Law enforcement in search of evidence removered a trash dumpster near the Texas apartment of alleged shooter Major Nidal Hasan. Neighbors say FBI agents took a computer which Hasan frequently used, all part of the ongoing investigation into just what happened at Ft. Hood and why.
FRAN TOWNSEND, FMR. HOMELAND SECURITY ADVISER: What they were doing overnight was looking at all his -- sort of the things you would imagine: his communications, his internet postings, his cell phone usage. They're looking for connections. The real question is one of intent.
BOLDUAN: Law enforcement sources say an FN 5.7 millimeter semiautomatic pistol, like the one shown here, was used in the shooting. One of those law enforcement sources adds Hasan purchased it legally in August at this Killeen gun store. CNN obtained surveillance footage from a convenience store showing Hasan just hours before the shooting.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At this point, we have one suspect that we said, a lone shooter. That's all indications, a lone shooter, and he's the suspect.
BOLDUAN: But Fran Townsend, former homeland security adviser to President Bush says finding out whether anyone else was involved remains a focus.
TOWNSEND: Whether or not, there are co-conspirators because want to get them into custody and you want to interview them. No question, that's first and foremost in their mind.
BOLDUAN: According to the "Associated Press," law enforcement were aware of internet activity under the screen name Nidal Hasan. One online posting compared a soldier jumping on a grenade to suicide bombers. The FBI would not comment on the posting or who wrote it. A former FBI official says tracing the origins of such messages may be an impossible task.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's very easy for someone to use the computer anonymously to send messages or to use someone else's name to post a message. And it would be very difficult to absolutely identify the individual in this case.
BOLDUAN (on camera): Investigators face more questions than answers at this point. For example, was any one person or group being targeted? We're told law enforcement are being very meticulous in their work here. The alleged shooter is in stable condition, and they want to carefully preserve their ability to pursue a criminal case.
Kate Bolduan, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And we're learning more about some of the 13 people killed in the shooting rampage at Ft. Hood. Among the victims, 22-year-old Army Specialist Jason Dean Hunt. He was known as J.D. to his friends. The Oklahoma native joined up right after graduating from high school. He had served in Iraq during his 3.5 years in the army. Hunt was also a newlywed. He just got married two months ago.
His sister spoke to CNN's Larry King about her brother.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LARRY KING, CNN HOST: Leila, you can expect someone who goes in the army, goes to Iraq, OK, you're hardened for the worst, but you certainly never expect them to die at his base?
LEILA WILLINGHAM, SISTER OF JASON HUNT (via telephone): I just want to say that, you know, because it didn't happen overseas or it didn't happen in a combat situation doesn't make him any less a hero, because my brother was the kind of person to jump in front of a bullet for somebody. And I really feel like, you know, I don't know the details, but I know my brother and I know he was very brave in this situation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: And momentarily, we'll be receiving an update from this location right here, Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas. And of course, when that happens, we'll bring that to you live.
All right, we'll be taking an in-depth look at the shootings at Ft. Hood during our 4:00 Eastern hour, whether or not this will affect troop deployment, perhaps? As the president continues to grapple with whether indeed to send more people to Afghanistan, for example. We're going to be delving an entire hour on the incident of Ft. Hood and we want to hear from you as well about what your thoughts are about how this might impact any further deployments overseas.
All right, then at 8:00 Eastern time, a CNN primetime special continues. The search for answers, the post (ph), the suspect, the wounded. A CNN special investigation "Inside the Ft. Hood Shootings" tonight at 8:00 Eastern time.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Top stories this hour, the House draws closer to a potentially historic vote on health care reform. Debate is underway on Capitol Hill and Democrats are trying to seal the deal with 218 votes, but there's no guarantee that they'll hit their number, and today's scheduled vote actually could be delayed.
The suspect in yesterday's fatal shooting at an Orlando, Florida, office building made his first court appearance this morning. A judge denied bond for 40-year-old Jason Rodriguez who faces a murder charge following Friday's shooting spree at his former work place. One person died, five more were wounded.
And President Obama says flags will fly at half-staff over government buildings until Veterans Day in honor of the 13 people killed Thursday in a shooting massacre at Ft. Hood, Texas. The president plans to attend a memorial for the victims when one is scheduled. We'll have another look at the top stories in 20 minutes from now.
And of course, a reminder, in just about 20 minutes from now, actually, President Obama is to be at the Rose Garden, and he is expected to talk a little bit more after meeting face to face with Democratic House leadership on Capitol Hill just within the last hour or so. And we're hearing a lot of confidence coming from the Democratic leadership that perhaps they will be making history today, if not this week, on health care reform.
We're going to hear from the president from the Rose Garden at 1:15 Eastern time. We'll carry that live. Live pictures right now at the White House.
Meantime, tragedy on a military post; they're mourning the victims at Ft. Hood today. The shooting there is also stirring up memories of other deadly incidents at military installations overseas and here at home.
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WHITFIELD: All right, live news conference taking place right at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas. That's Governor Rick Perry. Let's listen in.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)
GOV. RICK PERRY, TEXAS: ...make some statements to say -- represent this part of the state, and it was an honor for us to be able to have the opportunity to meet several of the victims today.
And before we go any further, I just want to say how blessed we are in Texas and in this country to have a facility like Scott & White. Each of those young men and women that we visited with in there and their families were truly thankful for this quality and professional group of men and women that are serving our soldiers at this time of need.
You know, it's been almost two days now since this tragic event occurred, and you know, I don't think anything has happened to dull any of our feelings emotionally about the incident. To those whose lives have been shaken by this isolated incident, you know, I think it communicates less about the safety of our society or for that matter the condition of the human soul as much as it is about the way people, particularly neighbors, as Scott & White is to that military base take care of their own.
You know, from thhe instance the perpetrator opened fire, the better element of human nature kicked in. Sergeant Kimberly Munley, for instance, Mark Todd, who raced towards the sound of the gunfire, will be appropriately regarded as heroes in the future. You know, there is no telling how many lives they saved because of their selfless and purposeful actions and we're fortunate to have first responders like that keeping the peace in our state.
I also want to commend our military personnel on the post, the first responders, our state agencies. They all worked very well together, cooperated and it was a reflective response to a violent situation and the professionalism that was displayed was first rate. Our military, our first responders, our peace officers, they are the best of the best, and we are safer because of them.
As word of this tragedy made its way across the community, the response was instantaneous and I might say it was very compassionate at the same time. People reached out by phone, there was text messaging, there was e-mail to seek reassurance. Teachers and caregivers worked overtime to take care of individuals in their locked down schools or day-care centers, et cetera. People stood in line for hours to give blood.
That bond between the military and the unique connection between those military families in these communities is a thing of awe from my perspective. I spoke to Sergeant Munley yesterday, and thanked her for her heroic actions. Visiting with these young men and women in Scott & White this afternoon, and I told them that there's 24 million Texans praying for them and wishing them well.
In the days to come, our priorities are going to be simple: support the families of those affected by this violence. Support the criminal investigation that is ongoing. Continue supporting our military as we always have, and to that end, the Texas Rangers have been directly involved with this criminal investigation.
Resources from the Texas Department of Public Safety are standing by as needed, and at the same time, the Department of State Health Services has provided crisis counseling to impacted children and families, and public safety personnel. The U.S. Military has clear jurisdiction over this situation, but the state of Texas will continue to support it in any form or fashion.
And along that line, let me introduce State Representative Ralph Sheffield. He represents this district and Ralph is a member of the Texas House of Representatives. So, Ralph, if you would say a few words. Thank you.
RALPH SHEFFIELD, TEXAS STATE HOUSE: Thank you, Governor Perry. I really appreciate you and Representative Sid Miller being here at this time of crisis. You know, it's just, it was a just a tragic thing, no doubt, here, but I really want to applaud Scott & White and physicians and the hospital here for the great work they did in this process and time of need. I believe that in visiting the troops, the soldiers that are here, they're under great care. They're all in good spirits, and are very well taken care of, and I'm proud to be part of this district here in Bell County to watch the things that transpired, like the call for blood and the 5000 folks that showed up overnight just to give that blood. It was a fantastic feeling. Fort Hood pretty much most of the day and watched the community leaders and throughout the County here all come together and open their arms for the soldiers here at Fort Hood and so forth. You know, Fort Hood is still a great place and will always continue to be a great place and I believe that Bell County's going to be stronger. And I asked that you keep the soldiers in your prayers, please. Thank you.
PERRY: Sid Miller represents an area that is very close to Fort Hood as well. He also serves on our military affairs coalition, and so if you would say a few words, please, sir.
SID MILLER, TEXAS STATE HOUSE: Thank you, Governor. It's good to be here today, and it was good to get see those soldiers up there and see what good care that they're in and how well they're doing, and I commend the staff here at Scott & White and all the personnel involved in taking care of our young men and women. Last Thursday was one of the darkest hours and one of the darkest days that I've seen here at Fort Hood and in Central Texas, and as we sift through the details and gather the evidence of what happened, we will learn from it, and we will make sure that we have the tools necessary to prevent another incident like this happening. To the victims, to the families, to the friends and to the loved ones who are affected by this incident, I would just say that I hope that and pray that God would keep and hold them in the palm with his hand in these trying times. Thank you.
PERRY: Sid, thank you. As we move forward from this day, I hope no one forgets the sacrifices that our military men and women make in defense of our country. I think that is the reflection that you see of the love of this community and the care and the continued support that you're going to see of our military men and women. We want to keep them in our prayers, and thank all the Texans for their outpouring and people across this country for that matter, who have let their feelings be known during this most tragic event. With that, let me open it up to those of you in the working press who may have some questions.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: I imagine you probably had a good relationship in talking with them. What was your impression of the soldiers as -- (INAUDIBLE)
PERRY: Well, I don't think there was a lot of relaying what they went through. What I heard time after time in those hospital rooms that it's their honor to be able to serve our country, and that is a very humbling thing to watch a young man or woman who's life has been irreparably harmed in a violent act, yet their concern and their interest is in continuing to be able to serve this country.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Can you tell us more about your conversation with -- (INAUDIBLE)
PERRY: She's very understated. A person who understands the gravity of what occurred, but also a classic public servant who is not interested in anything but getting on with her life and hopefully never having an event like this ever occur again. But a true professional, as you have seen from other reports. This is not the first time that she's been called to action, and this is a self-less public servant who we all should be thankful that we have people like that in America keeping us between the bad guys and safe.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: Isolated shooting? What are you (INAUDIBLE) -- just isolated.
PERRY: You know, there's an ongoing investigation. So I think to, you know, try to surmise or go by rumor or innuendo is inappropriate, and we've got some of the best people in the world and form the Texas rangers and the fbi, they're working on the investigation. So, after their information is appropriately collected is the time for us to speculate, I suppose, but hopefully it will not be speculation. In most cases it will be straight out facts that we have to work with.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: Governor -- (INAUDIBLE)
PERRY: Well, the rangers were obviously one of the first on the scene from the standpoint of collection of information, collection of evidence, and in taking statements from both victims and eyewitnesses. So that's what they do. They're some of the best in the world from the standpoint of investigative professionals and they will continue to work knowing their role is, as the, on a federal reservation is, you know, they're not the lead, but they will support in any way that they're asked to.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: How were they brought in by (INAUDIBLE)
PERRY: I can't answer that directly. When there is an event, whether it's on a federal reservation or whether it's on the, you know, sovereign state of Texas, they're some of the first individuals on an event like this that would be notified and react. So they had pretty standard operating procedures from the standpoint of being engaged in an investigation.
(INAUDIBLE)
PERRY: Well, I don't want to -- I'll tell what you I'd rather do is Dr. Smythe would be the appropriate person. I don't want to cross any inappropriate lines from the standpoint of naming names or, you know, these were all military personnel that had injuries from gunshot wounds, and they're all making progress, and there's some that are going to be a long time healing up. Hopefully there will be some released in just a few days, but there's everything in between. So ...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: Governor what can you tell us about -- (INAUDIBLE)
PERRY: I can't tell you anything about him today.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: Did Dr. Smythe know anything about what happened that day?
PERRY: Actually, we didn't talk -- we talked about these kids' families. We talked about if they needed anything. We comforted them and loved them. And I think that's the appropriate role at this particular point in time. I want to ask the doctor to step up here, because he may have the ability to give you some information that I don't.
(INAUDIBLE)
DR. W. ROY SMYTHE, CHAIRMAN, DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY, SCOTT & WHITE HOSPITAL: Actually, we had a progress in the last ten hours of the original ten patients who were admitted. Four had gone home, one may go home today. As of this morning, as you may know, we initially had six patients in the surgical intensive care unit. As of this morning, we only have two left in the surgical intensive care and all the others patients moved up to the regular in-patient floor. And those that are in the icu are no longer on the ventilator and they're quite stable. So, a lot of progress has been made.
(INAUDIBLE)
SMYTHE: I would say that some of them are out of the woods but some of them, again, their injuries are so severe that only time will tell how they'll do in the long run.
(INAUDIBLE)
SMYTHE: Again, it's hard to tell. Some of these patients are young and sometimes young patients will surprise you in regards to their rehabilitation, but there is a possibility that some of these patients will be physically impaired for the rest of their life. And there is certainly no doubt that many of them will be psychologically impaired for the rest of their lives. There's no doubt about that.
PERRY: Thank you all for coming out and being with us today.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: Governor -- transferred to memorial?
(END VIDEOTAPED)
Fredricka Whitfield, CNN ANCHOR: All right. You're hearing an update there of the Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas, talking about the originally ten people who were being treated there at that hospital after the Fort Hood rampage and Dr. Smythe there updating and saying four have actually gone home and one may actually go home today. There are two right now, the victims that are in the surgical intensive care unit but he says progress has certainly being made. You heard from Texas Governor Rick Perry as well saying that prayers are continuing throughout Texas and really the country for that matter for all those were victimized from this shooting. So that's the update there coming from Fort Hood.
We also know happening right here in Washington, d.c. as well, a lot of moving, movement going on as it pertains to health care reform. The president earlier today met face to face with house democratic leadership, and after emerging from that meeting and making his way to Washington, moving up his planned that was at 2:30 Eastern Time. Press conference to take place out of the Rose Garden has been moved up now. He made his way straight from Capitol Hill, position himself there at the white house just down the street. We heard from some of the house democratic leadership saying that they were expecting to make health care reform history today and they were excited about that.
Elaine Quijano is now at the Rose Garden there just momentarily we understand about five minutes, the president will be addressing reporters there, presumably talking mostly about health care reform and perhaps his feelings after having that face to face meeting on Capitol Hill -- Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Fredricka. You mentioned the word history. That seems to be the operative word. White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton saying after the meeting that the president had with house democrats, that really the president speech to them was look, this is a historic opportunity. Those lawmakers, that the white house, had here to go ahead and push through a comprehensive health care reform bill. This is something that the president noted in his remarks to them. Also noting that this is the closest that any administration, any congress, has ever been in some 70 years to doing that.
So, again, the president here, as we talked about earlier today, Fredricka, is really trying to underscore just how high the stakes are. At the same time, as you know, the political stakes for this president are extremely high as well. The fact that the president on a Saturday decided it was important enough for him to go ahead and make a plea in person to members of his own party to go ahead and get this legislation done really is a sign of just how difficult an issue this has been. As you know, there have been disagreements on a number of issues and sticking points and concerns by house democrats. Things like whether illegal immigrants, for instance, might have access to health care under this proposed bill?
Also, anti-abortion democrats very concerned about whether federal funding might be in place under this bill for abortions. We understand on that last point there was a compromise reached. So house democrats will be allowed -- anti-abortion democrats I should say, will be allowed to go ahead and put forth a bill that would effectively ban most federal funding for abortions. So the president obviously wanting, again, to impress upon these lawmakers, he feels this is their shot. This is their moment to go ahead and push through this health care legislation.
He wants, as you know, Fredricka, a bill on his desk before the end of the year. So this trip, a rare trip that the president made to Capitol Hill earlier today, on a Saturday, really trying to rally his troops so to speak. We'll hear from the president himself in just a moment. We're expecting for him to talk about how he thinks that went and, again, we'll likely hear him impress upon the fact that he thinks this is a historic opportunity -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: And so, Elaine while in about two minutes we may hear and see the president there in the Rose Garden. We may actually hear him talk about this in part being a victory, if indeed he was able to get all the votes needed from at least the democratic leadership. I wonder if in part he's feeling a bit defeated too because we've heard from a number of republicans who says they are not onboard and it's not expected that he was able to sway any republicans from house leadership on this. QUIJANO: I think what you would aides would say about that is there are certainly is disappointment that the president would have liked to have republicans or more republicans onboard with the plan here for comprehensive health care reforms as they call it. At the same time, the political reality is that it's a very difficult climate right now and the fact, again, that the president had to go and rally his own troops so to speak. To assuage some of the concerns on the part of democrats. Again, speaks to just how difficult this issue really is. So whether or not there's a feeling of defeat, we're certainly, we will likely not hear that right now, but obviously, the president and his aides have said all along you know, they wanted to get republicans onboard. Remains to be seen what the final count is, but from all indications, it's not looking like it will necessarily be the large numbers that the president and his aides had hoped for from the republican side.
WHITFIELD: All right. Elaine Quijano, thanks so much from the white house. Take a second there. We're going straight to Capitol Hill and check in with Brianna Keilar. Brianna, we heard a number of the house leaders who were boasting, almost celebrating this in part victory that they feel that they will indeed make history today. Steny Hoyer, Nancy Pelosi, Jim Clyburn. Anyone else have anything to say from Capitol Hill as to why they feel like perhaps the deal has been sealed?
Brianna Keilar, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, democratic leaders are saying that they are moving forward, that they're confident that they can pass health care reform. But I think the sense, Fredricka, is that it's going to be a very close vote as they try to get all of their democrats together. I want to read a quote, actually, that we have from apparently what the president said when he was wrapping up his comments here to all of these democrats in the house just moments ago. That he told them. "He is absolutely confident that you guys will get this done. Absolutely confident that when I sign this in the Rose Garden, each and every one of you will be able to look back and say this was my finest moment in politics."
But it's certainly going to be a tough vote for sure, Fred, for a lot of these members. So you know, one of the things he also told them according to one of the democratic members of congress that I spoke with was that he said to them. "You know, tough votes, important things are controversial. There were a lot of people who objected when congress passed social security. There were a lot of people who objected when congress passed medicare. This, too, is something that is getting objection, but it's because it's important and you know, that's why this is an important vote for all of you to take part in."
So at this point the vote is expected still to happen today, Fredricka. Debate going on throughout the day on this and it's been dicey at times between republicans and democrats. So we continue to watch that, but right now things still on track. We're going to keep a really close eye on to see how the votes shake out.
WHITFIELD: All right, Brianna Keilar on Capitol Hill. Thanks so much and now we're getting an update from the president soon to be in the Rose Garden in maybe about ten minutes by now, 1:25 Eastern Time. We'll going to take a short break. He's actually right there in the white house on the telephone. It's a live shot right now, perhaps fine tuning a few more things after meeting face to face with some of the house democratic leadership on Capitol Hill earlier today.
He finished up in the noon eastern hour. Made his way to the white house. Instead of what was going to be a planned Rose Garden announcement on media at 2:30 Eastern Time, decided to move it up a bit. So, now we understand that will be about 1:25 Eastern Time. He just hung up the phone there as we peek in the window there in the oval office there and soon he will be emerging. We'll take a short break right now when we come back, hopefully taking you straight to the white house.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right. Live pictures right now of the Rose Garden, momentarily, President Obama is emerge from those doors and take to the microphone there and talk a little bit more about what was said on Capitol Hill, after he had his face to face meeting with the house democratic leadership, trying to win those extra votes to perhaps get 218 votes in support of a health reform bill. After emerging from his meeting on Capitol Hill, many of the house democrats said that they believed today is going to be a day of making history as pertains to health care reform.
Brianna Keilar is on Capitol Hill. Elaine Quijano is at the white house. Let me go to you, first, Brianna because, you know, just thinking about the chronology here. A meeting taking place earlier today broke up in the noon eastern hour. There has not been a vote yet. Yet we are soon to hear from the president as we did from some of the house democratic leadership, and the expectation is he's going to feel confident or express that he's feeling very confident about perhaps having a victory in this fight?
KEILAR: Well, whether you can claim victory or not isn't going to happen until you actually see the vote. We've actually got ...
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: Brianna, let me ask you to hold your thought. Here's the president of the United States.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: About the landmark vote that the house of representatives is supposed to take today. The vote that can bring us one step closer to making real the promise of quality, affordable health care for the American people. For the better part of the year now, members of the house and senate have been working diligently and constructively to craft legislation that will benefit millions of American families and millions of American businesses who urgently need it.
For the first time ever they've passed bills through every single committee responsible for reform. They brought us closer than we have ever been to passing health insurance reform on behalf of the American people. Now is the time to finish the job. The bill that the house has produced will provide stability and security for Americans who have insurance, quality affordable options for those who don't, and lower costs for American families and American businesses. And as I've insisted from the beginning, it is a bill that is fully paid for and will actually reduce our long-term federal deficit. This bill is changed that the American people urgently need.
Don't just take my word for it. Consider the national groups that have come out in support of this bill on behalf of their members. The consumers union supports it because it will create and I quote, "a more secure affordable health care system for the American people." The American medical association and American Nurses Association support it on behalf of doctors and nurses and medical professionals who know firsthand what's broken in our current system. And who see what happens when their patients can't get the care they need because of insurance industry bureaucracies. The national farmers union supports this bill because it will control costs for farmers and ranchers and address the unique challenges rural Americans face when it comes to receiving quality care.
And the AARP supports it because it will achieve the goal for which the aarp has been fighting for decades. Reducing the costs of health care spending coverage for American seniors and strengthening Medicare for the long haul. Now, no bill can ever contain everything that everybody wants or please every constituency in any district. That's an impossible task. But what is possible, what's in our grasp right now is the chance to prevent a future where every day 14,000 Americans continue to lose their health insurance and every year 18,000 Americans die because they don't have it.
Future where crushing costs, keeps small businesses from succeeding, and big businesses from competing in the global economy. The future where countless dreams are deferred or scaled back because of a broken system we could have fixed when we had the chance. What we can do right now is choose a better future and pass a bill that brings us to the very cost, a building of what so many generations Americans have sought to build. A better health care system for this country. Millions of Americans are watching right now. Families and businesses are counting on us.
After all, this is why they sent us here. To finally confront the challenges that Washington had been putting off for decades. To make their lives better. To lead this country stronger than we found it. I just came from the Hill where I talked to the members of congress there and I reminded them that opportunities like this come around maybe once in a generation. Most public servants pass through their entire careers without a chance to make as important as difference in the lives of their constituents and the life of this country. This is their moment. This is our moment to live up to the trust that the American people have placed in us, even when it's hard. Especially when it's hard. This is our moment to deliver. I urge members of congress to rise to this moment. Answer the call of history and vote yes for health insurance reform for America. Thanks.
(END VIDEO CLIP) WHITFIELD: All right. The president of the United States saying nothing about whether indeed his visit to Capitol Hill actually helped garner more votes, more support on Capitol Hill for health care reform, but he did, however, emphasize that he says he that he believes this nation's one step closer towards getting quality health care. He said, all of the bills that have been passed through every committee, now is the time to finish the job, and emphasizing that America is closer now than ever before to actually have some sort of health care reform, and he also emphasized not everybody will be happy with it but he says, what it would ensure is that it would prevent a day when millions would lose health care insurance.
Our Elaine Quijano is there in the Rose Garden as well. Is it a rare working Saturday for the President of the United States? At least in a visible way as well as for members of congress. His message, very short and succinct. He didn't reveal much about that meeting between he and members of congress, however, he was very certain, very sure, that there is going to be health care reform history made.
QUIJANO: That's right. And it's interesting, Fredricka, as he walked away. I don't know if you could hear, he was asked whether he was disappointed that there was not house republican support for this bill. He didn't answer that question. Just kept walking. But that certainly is something that the white house did not want to have happen here. They wanted to be able to call this a bipartisan bill. Nevertheless, what you heard the president there talking about was the fact that basically this is an opportunity as he said that only comes around every so often. That this is a historic moment, he believes, and the president really tried to press that with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
What's unspoken here is that because of that, there are enormous political sticks for this president. He is expending a tremendous amount of political capital by going out and making this personal plea, for instance, to democrats, members ever his own party, to try and get legislation on his desk before the end of the year. The president talked about moving this forward, being one step closer, but there are still many hurdles, as you know, Fredricka, that remain. Nevertheless, the president sounded very confident that he thinks something will in fact get done here. Clearly, though, the president underscoring in his comments there just how high the stakes really are. Not only in the health care debate, but also implicitly, the political stakes, quite high for this president as well.
WHITFIELD: Is this -- I wonder Elaine. Is this a big gamble for the president to come out and share these words right now before a vote is actually to take place? So that perhaps after a vote he could be much more confident about that one step closer to health care reform?
QUIJANO: Certainly. Some would certainly look at it that way, Fredricka. That the timing maybe is a little bit off to them. Nevertheless, the president and house democrats that emerged from that meeting basically seemed to be singing from the same song sheet, if you will. Echoing the comments that they believe at this moment in time there is a historic opportunity to get this done. But what was sort of left unspoken there, if they don't get it done now, they're not going to have chance to do this again. So, again it is a gamble, a political gamble. A gamble on many levels. Whether or not those 218 votes are there, still an open question at this point -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Yes and very interesting, too. He says, you know, an opportunity like this comes around once in a generation, and he said, I'm quoting now. "This is their moment", talking about congress. "Our moment as a nation, to live up to the expectation and to deliver to the American people." That was the president of the United States there from the Rose Garden. We have much more on this story and others throughout the day. Right now we're going to take you to YOUR MONEY already in progress.
