Barack Obama Says US Healthcare Bills Need More Work

U.S. President Barack Obama is defending his relentless campaign for a health care bill before Congress's August recess, saying "the default in Washington is inaction and inertia." The Republican Party chairman assailed it as an "excessive push."

Photo: Barack Obama Says US Healthcare Bills Need More Work

According to The Associated Press, the fault lines in the debate emerging as Topic A in the capital remained intact Tuesday as Obama defended the deadline, saying the American people want the overhaul done quickly, and GOP Chairman Michael Steele demanded: "Take your time!"

Asked in an NBC "Today" interview whether he would sign any of the legislation being considered in Congress, Obama replied: "Right now, they're not where they need to be."

Obama has been pressing Congress to approve healthcare legislation, a centerpiece of his domestic agenda, before the August recess.

"I am deeply invested in getting this thing done," Obama said, Reuters informs.