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House Speaker Dennis Hastert asked Democrats to cooperate in allowing the spending-cut bill to be passed on a fast-track procedure that would avoid recalling the 435-member chamber from its long winter vacation.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a vocal opponent of the bill, rejected that idea, leaving Republicans to decide whether to call the House back for a formal vote this month or wait until after vacation ends on January 31.....
FINAL PASSAGE UNCERTAIN
With the Senate's changes, a third House vote is needed.
One item deleted from the bill at Senate Democrats' urging would have made it easier for hospitals to turn away poor patients who are unable to pay for their medical care.
If the House vote is delayed until next year, lobbyists and activists, including senior citizen groups who object to health care provisions, would have more time to mobilize against the bill.
Reuters