Gibbs says there is a 'disconnect' between White House, Hill on healthcare date

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs acknowledged Tuesday that there is a "disconnect" between the White House and congressional Democrats over a March 18 goal for House passage of healthcare reform.

Gibbs said Tuesday the administration expects the House to pass healthcare reform by March 18 even though Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said earlier in the day that the House is not beholden to that deadline.

Hoyer downplayed that deadline earlier Tuesday, saying that "none of us has mentioned the 18th other than Mr. Gibbs."

Gibbs says there is a 'disconnect' between White House, Hill on healthcare date

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs acknowledged Tuesday that there is a "disconnect" between the White House and congressional Democrats over a March 18 goal for House passage of healthcare reform.

Gibbs said Tuesday the administration expects the House to pass healthcare reform by March 18 even though Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said earlier in the day that the House is not beholden to that deadline.

Hoyer downplayed that deadline earlier Tuesday, saying that "none of us has mentioned the 18th other than Mr. Gibbs."

"There seems to be a disconnect," Gibbs said before trailing off.

President Obama is scheduled to leave on March 18 for an overseas trip to Guam, Indonesia and Australia.

Gibbs said the deadline came from conversations from presidential aides who are in contact with Congress, and there has been no new information "that leads us to believe that March 18th is not a doable date."

President Obama is scheduled to leave on March 18 for an overseas trip to Guam, Indonesia and Australia.