Democrats say health care bill to pass this year
• APDemocratic congressional leaders predicted passage of health care legislation within a few months despite undimmed Republican opposition, claiming momentum from President Barack Obama's speech and renewed commitment from lawmakers fresh from a month of meetings with constituents.
Increasingly, events in the Senate Finance Committee appeared pivotal, precursor to likely votes in both the House and the Senate by early October. "I'm confident the president will sign a bill this year," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California.
