It was a close victory for President Obama, but a victory nonetheless.
这对奥巴马总统来说可算是一个险胜，但毕竟还是胜利了。
"We pushed back on the undue influences of special interests," he said. "We didn't give in to mistrust or to cynicism or to fear. Instead, we proved we are still a people capable of doing big things."
奥巴马总统说：“我们顶住了特殊利益集团的过份影响力，我们没有向疑惑、讥讽和恐惧低头。相反，我们证实了美国仍然是一个能够成就大事业的国家。”
He staked his young presidency on the outcome of this vote. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a final pitch for the bill, saying the president's economic agenda is at stake.
奥巴马把他坐上还没多长时间的总统宝座押在了健保改革的投票结果上。众议院议长佩洛西为法案的通过发出最后呼吁时说，奥巴马总统的经济方案成功与否在此一举。
"The best action we can take on behalf of America's family budget and on behalf of the federal budget is to pass health care reform," she said.
佩洛西说：“现在，为了美国的家庭收支、为了联邦政府的预算，我们所能采取的最佳行动就是通过健保改革法案。”
In a country where most people rely on private insurance to help meet their medical costs, Democrats said the goal was to provide access to affordable coverage for as many Americans as possible.
大多数美国人需要依赖私营医疗保险公司报销他们的医疗费用。民主党人说，健保改革法案的目标就是让尽量多的美国人获得能够负担得起的医疗保险。
Republicans stood united in opposition to the legislation, claiming it would increase the national debt, and put the government in firm control of the health care system.
但是共和党人团结一致，反对这项法案。他们说，这将增加国债，让政府牢牢掌控保健系统。
As the debate came to a close, House Minority leader John Boehner issued a warning. "We have failed to listen to America," he said. "And, we have failed to reflect the will our our constituents.
在众议院的辩论即将结束时，众议院少数党领袖博纳发出警告：“我们没有做到倾听人民的声音，我们没有做到反映选民的意愿。”
The passions at play were evident both inside and outside the House chamber.
围绕健保改革法案，国会大厦内外人们的激动情绪显而易见。
Protesters gathered on the Capitol lawn during the debate, yelling in an attempt to make their own voices heard.
当众议员们在国会大厅展开辩论之际，抗议者聚集在国会大厦外的草坪上高呼口号，希望他们的声音能够被听到。
There was anger from a woman from the state of Georgia. "There needs to be something done, but this is not it," she said.
一位来自乔治亚州的妇女愤怒地说：“确实需要做一些事情，但却不是通过这个法案。”
And there was fear in the voice of a man from Missouri. "It needs to be reformed. It's broken," he said. "But spending us into oblivion is not the way to do it."
一位来自密苏里州的男子则表达了他的担忧：“需要进行健保改革，否则就会破产。但是，解决问题的办法并不是靠花数不清的金钱。”
Supporters of the bill were there too. Jesse Jackson - a veteran of the civil rights movement - stood in the shadow of the Capital as a witness to history.
国会大厦外也有支持医改法案的人。美国民权运动领军人物杰西.杰克逊作为历史的见证人在国会大厦外接受采访时说：
"To win this battle is a major step toward changing our entire health care system," he said.
“赢得这场战役是迈向改革我们整个医疗保健系统的重大一步。”
Nearby, there were a few people holding signs backing the bill. They were outnumber by the opponents. But they could sense a legislative victory.
附近还有一些人手举支持医改的标语牌。他们的人数远远少于反对者，但是他们已经感到胜利在望。
"It's a start," she said. "I'm just really excited. I had to be down here today."
一名支持者说：“这只是一个开始。我感到很兴奋，我今天必须来到这里。”
It was a day for the history books....but not the end of the story. While the health care bill has cleared Congress, the Senate must still sign-off on a series of changes approved by the House. Senators are expected to act this week.
这一天将进入史册，但远不是终结。在众议院通过健保改革法案后，众议院通过的一系列修正案还必须得到参议院的签署同意。预计参议员们将于本周行动起来。 |