VOA常速英语:US Congress Waging Fierce Final Battle over Health Care Reform

U.S. President Barack Obama and his Democratic Party allies in Congress are making one last push for health care reform after more than a year of debate.? Republicans and grass roots conservative activists are making their own last ditch attempt to block the health care bill, and the passionate battle over reform has spread from the halls of Congress into the streets surrounding the Capitol. ?

They have come to Washington from across the country in a combative mood with one mission in mind - to stop President Obama's health care bill.

Opposition Republicans bent on killing the bill like Indiana Congressman Mike Pence whip the? crowd into a frenzy.

"Let's go from here," he said "Let's scrap the bill.? Let's build health care reform that respects the limited government and liberty of the American people, so help us God!" ?

Grassroots conservatives, many of them members of the so-called Tea Party movement, are out in force at the rally, eager to spread their anti-Obama, anti-tax, anti-big government message.

For many of these activists, stopping health care reform is the first step toward defeating Democrats in Congress in November and President Obama in 2012.

They are rallying around Minnesota Republican Representative Michele Bachmann and other rising conservative stars.

"And we are going to win in November and President Obama will be a one-term president!," said Michele Bachmann.

After more than a year of debate, the president is equally determined to make one last push for health care, including a recent stop in Ohio.

"And so I am calling on Congress to pass these reforms and I am going to sign them into law," said President Obama. "I want some courage.? I want us to do the right thing, Ohio, and with your help we are going to make it happen!" ?
Democrats need every vote to pass Mr. Obama's top domestic priority,? and the president did win over one liberal holdout.

"I've decided to cast a vote in favor of the legislation," said Dennis Kucinich.