Congressional Leaders Continue Health Care Talks

WASHINGTON, DC - Jan 15: House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., House Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., during a news conference after the Democratic caucus' "issues conference" at the U.S. Capitol to discuss their agenda for the second session of the 111th Congress. Meanwhile, House Democratic leaders resumed talks on a health care overhaul Friday morning after a late night negotiating session at the White House involving President Obama and a bicameral group of top Democrats. Negotiators continued to work through contentious aspects of House and Senate overhaul plans (HR 3692, HR 3590), including restrictions on insurance coverage of abortion. The Hill Democrats were due to return to the White House for another round of talks with Obama Friday afternoon. Negotiators are working hard to arrive on an agreement in principle to blend the bills, in the hope that it can be brought to the House floor this month. (Photo by Scott J. Ferrell/Congressional Quarterly)