"That's the kind of energy and determination that we need," the president said at the White House, standing on the south driveway with Pelosi and Democratic leaders of the relevant House committees.
"We are not going to rest until we have delivered," Obama said. "Our health care system is broken."
Pelosi, D-Calif., and other House Democrats had met with Obama and Vice President Joe Biden in the Oval Office just before going outside to make their announcement. No Republicans were present.
"We promised him that we will have this important legislation on the floor of the House before the August break," Pelosi announced. "Our goal is to have a healthier America."
Neither the speaker nor the president offered details of how the legislation will look, the subject of ongoing debate on Capitol Hill. The White House is remaining mostly quiet as proposals emerge for discussion among lawmakers, preferring to let Congress come up with a plan and engage more on the specifics later on.