(Stations: CLARIFIES White House comments)


Washington (AP) The White House says President Barack Obama still expects to have a health care overhaul bill to sign by year's end. He plans to personally lobby for it in a visit to Capitol Hill tomorrow.

House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer told reporters earlier today that the make-or-break vote on Obama's top priority could face delay and might not come until Sunday or later. Democrats indicated they don't have enough votes lined up to conduct the vote tomorrow.

Obama had been set to make a personal appeal to the Democratic rank and file in a visit today to Capitol Hill. That was postponed after the shootings at Fort Hood, Texas.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says even if there is no vote tomorrow, the president expects the bill to pass despite the delay.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-06-09 1240CST | save this article / add to your favorites list