House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D., Md.) and Whip Jim Clyburn (D., S.C.) spoke with reporters prior to the president’s arrival at the Capitol.

“We will adopt a rule which will provide for the consideration of a reconciliation bill and will provide for two hours of debate,” Hoyer said. “It will provide further, that upon passage of the reconciliation bill, the Senate-passed health-care bill will be in order for a vote on the floor of the House . . . We expect to have the votes to pass.” He also said “we have every reason to believe that the Senate will pass the House’s reconciliation bill.”

“Deem and pass,” he added, is over. “This gives us the opportunity to vote on the amendment first, then the Senate bill . . . We determined we could do this and believe it’s a better process.”

“Clearly we believe we have the votes,” he concluded.