Politics / John Larson Key Dem: 'We Have the Votes—Now, as We Speak' Chair of House Democratic caucus says they've got it done By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Mar 21, 2010 8:15 AM CDT Copied Rep. John B. Larson, D-Conn., gestures during a health care overhaul news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 18, 2010. (Haraz N. Ghanbari) The chairman of the Democratic caucus in the House says his party has the 216 votes needed to pass President Barack Obama's historic health care bill. Speaking Sunday on ABC's This Week, Connecticut Rep. John Larson said, in his words, "We have the votes now—as we speak." House Democrats are predicting that a rare Sunday session will produce one of the most significant legislative triumphs in decades: passage of a bill to overhaul the nation's health care system to provide coverage to millions of people. Republicans resolutely oppose the bill. (More John Larson stories.) Get breaking news in your inbox. What you need to know, as soon as we know it. Sign up Report an error