Obama praises Republican Sen. Snowe for ‘diligent’ work ahead of crucial health care vote

Obama: Snowe ‘diligent’ in her work on health care

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is praising Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe for being “extraordinarily diligent” in working with Democrats on health care reform.

Snowe says she will vote Tuesday for a Democratic health care bill. Passage of the Senate Finance Committee’s bill is a foregone conclusion, but Snowe’s bipartisan support is a significant boost for Obama’s top legislative priority.

Obama says the finance committee has done “excellent work” in drafting a bill, and called the likely vote “another step forward” toward achieving health care reform.