GOP claims confidence from 'deem and pass' abandonment

Republicans said they were emboldened Saturday by Democrats' decision to abandon a procedural maneuver to pass health reform legislation.

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said that if the GOP's opposition could forestall Democrats from using the so-called "deem and pass" maneuver, then they could block healthcare bill as a whole.

"The decision to abandon the ‘Slaughter Solution’ is a victory for the American people, who want a straight up-or-down vote. If we can stop the ‘deem scheme,’ we can stop this bill," Boehner said in a statement. "The American people are making their voices heard, here on Capitol Hill and across America.  It’s time for Washington Democrats to listen."

It's not clear how Boehner's claim fits with House Democratic leaders' confidence that, under their current strategy, they'll have the votes to pass health reform.

Boehner reiterated his demand, though, that votes tomorrow on healthcare be cast through a "call of the roll" vote, a process in which each lawmaker stands and publicly declares his or her vote. Lawmakers typically record their votes by electronic device.