Activists hit Capitol Hill as party leaders round up votes for health care reform

Activists hit Capitol Hill as party leaders round up votes for... (Added: March 16, 2010)

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Activists hit Capitol Hill as party leaders round up votes for health care reform

Republicans are taking aim at one strategy the Democrats are thinking about using -- to turn health care reform into reality. It's a procedural move that would allow the House of Representatives to pass the Senate plan -- without lawmakers actually having to vote on it. A group of activists hit the hallways of Capitol Hill -- hoping to have their voices heard... As party leaders rounded up votes behind closed doors. Joel Brown reports from Washington.

By: CBS Newspath | WNCT
Published: March 16, 2010

Republicans are on the attack after Democrats indicated they might use a new strategy to pass healthcare reform.

The GOP's responded after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she's considering a plan for House Democrats to pass the Senate's healthcare bill without directly voting on it. Instead they'd pass a round of changes to it.

That would keep House members from having to vote first for the unpopular Senate version. The White House dismissed the Republican arguments.

Whether or not party leaders use the complicated strategy depends on how much luck they're having convincing skittish Democrats to get on board.

President Obama is inviting undecided Democrats to the Oval Office -- trying to win over those moderates who are the feeling the heat from the right.

Tea Party protestors rallied outside the Capitol.

Then -- they took their message door to door -- visiting lawmakers' offices. A stop at Virginia Democrat Gerry Connolly's office -- turned into a confrontation -- when one of his staffers shut the door.

Despite all the pressure there are still many House Democrats who've yet to make up their mind -- Setting the stage for a cliffhanger vote on healthcare by the end of the week.