Obama hails ‘extraordinarily constructive’ work by Blue Dogs

President Obama thanked centrist, Blue Dog Democrats in the House on Wednesday for what he said were “extraordinarily constructive” efforts to negotiate a deal to pass healthcare reform legislation.

Obama took the unusual step of praising centrists in his own party who have held up passage of preliminary healthcare bills, while members of his own party’s base have castigated their fellow lawmakers for their recalcitrance.

“I want to thank the members of both the Senate and House of Representatives for continuing their work on health reform to provide more stability and security for Americans who have insurance, and quality, affordable coverage for those who don’t,” Obama said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

“I’m especially grateful that so many members, including some Blue Dogs on the Energy and Commerce Committee, are working so hard to find common ground,” he added.

Blue Dogs reached a deal with House leaders today to allow the mark-up of healthcare legislation stuck in the Energy and Commerce committee to move forward, in exchange for a delay on a vote for the bill until after the August recess.

House and Senate leaders, along with Obama, had previously hoped to pass first drafts of their bills before the recess. The president praised those Democrats, despite their having contributed to the delay.

“Those efforts are extraordinarily constructive in strengthening this legislation and bringing down its cost,” the president said.