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Obama back to push for health, school programs

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-07-15 07:50

US President Barack Obama heads a gift soccer ball while walking back to the Oval Office after hosting the Columbus Crew soccer team in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on Monday. [Agencis]

WASHINGTON: Back in the White House after a week overseas, US President Barack Obama pressed Democratic leaders to pass health care legislation in both houses of Congress before August and expressed confidence about the ultimate outcome for his top domestic priority.

"Don't bet against us. We are going to make this thing happen," a defiant president said, eager to impart fresh momentum after days of delays in the House of Representatives and Senate.

Obama delivered his full-throated promise in a Rose Garden appearance to announce his surgeon general nominee. Later, he met privately with Democratic congressional leaders crucial to the legislation - as well as conservative Democrats who have misgivings. The leadership's ambitious timetable for floor votes this summer has slipped.

Unlike other developed countries, the United States lacks universal health care.

"There was a strong agreement by everyone in the room that we can get a bill done before the start of the August recess," said Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. "Senator Reid intends to take a bill to the floor as quickly as possible."

That was short of a commitment, and left unanswered how quickly the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Democratic Senator Max Baucus, would act - or whether the leadership and White House would step in.

$12b community college plan

Obama was expected to unveil a $12 billion initiative yesterday to boost community colleges and propel the United States toward his goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020, administration officials said.

The 10-year program, which he would announce during a visit yesterday afternoon local time to Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan, includes a new goal of graduating an additional 5 million students from community colleges over the next decade, double the current number of expected graduates.

Education is the often-forgotten third pillar of Obama's economic plan and has received far less attention than the other two - healthcare reform and renewable energy.