President lauds CBO numbers on healthcare

“That makes this the most significant effort to reduce the deficit since the balanced
budget act of the 1990s,” he said, lauding the new CBO numbers.

{mosads}He hailed the CBO projection that the Democrats’ healthcare
reform legislation would reduce the deficit by $1.3 trillion over the next two
decades during a Rose Garden appearance with lawmakers.

Obama is furiously lobbying recalcitrant Democrats to vote
for the healthcare bill this week, and he suggested Thursday that deficit
reduction should factor into their decision.

“I urge every member of Congress to consider this as they prepare for their
important vote this weekend,” Obama said.

Democrats need 216 members of their caucus to support the healthcare package
for it to clear the House.