They may be familiar faces here in the Valley, but now they're a big part in the national conversation on health care.
Congressmen Jason Altmire, D-PA, and John Boccieri, D-OH, took their turn in the national spotlight on network television. Both are still undecided on the current health care bill before the House.
"There's a lot of attention put on our district. This is one of our more moderate districts in the country," said Boccieri. "So we want to make sure we make a good decision for our constituents."
Pennsylvania residents continue to flood Altmire's office with calls, and while all eyes in Washington remain on uncommitted congressmen like him and Boccieri, both said their focus remains back home.
"Any pressure, I feel, comes from my district," Altmire said. "I'm a representative. That's my job title. That's why they sent me to Washington in the first place, and I feel an obligation to represent their interest in this."
Altmire said cost containment as well as preserving and strengthening Medicare remain top priorities.
While Boccieri also does not want this bill to explode the deficit, he is encouraged by the cost and savings estimates released Thursday. However, the first term congressman wants to strike all side deals out of the legislation.
"It needs to have a changes to the senate version," Boccieri said. "There's no way Ohio should pay for Nebraska, and I want those deals out."
Altmire said he will inform Democratic leaders of his vote once he reads the final language.
