House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday returned to her home district, where she celebrated the passage of a health care reform bill with an appearance at a San Francisco church.
Speaking at the Glide Memorial United Methodist Church, the Democrat told an enthusiastic crowd of about 750 worshipers that the legislation's passage will make health care affordable for the middle class and eventually provide coverage for millions of uninsured Americans.
"We're celebrating really something that is historic, in terms of sitting right up there with Social Security, Medicare and the Civil Rights Act," Pelosi said as the hometown crowd stood and cheered.
Pelosi's address was her first public appearance in her home district since Democrats on Friday sent the final "fixes" on health care legislation to President Barack Obama. The president is expected to sign the fixes on Tuesday.
Republicans, including House GOP leader John Boehner, bitterly opposed the overhaul to the end, arguing the bill would be bad for business and hurt the struggling U.S. economy. The Ohio congressman described the bill as a "grim moment for millions."
During her address Sunday, Pelosi said not only would the measure provide health care for millions of uninsured Americans, it would help stimulate the economy by being a "job creator."
She also downplayed concerns that some of her fellow Democrats would be more vulnerable to losing to Republicans when Americans vote in midterm elections this fall.
Glide Memorial is known for providing meals, health care and other social services to the jobless and homeless.
Associated Press: Pelosi Returns to San Francisco to Celebrate Passage of Health Care Bill
March 28, 2010
