in our "meet the press" minute we remember liz carpenter, pioneer in journalism, politics and the women's rights movement who died yesterday at the age of 89. her feisty spirit was on display right here 33 years ago, as she argued the case for the equal rights amendment. but first, down to the wire on health care reform, the house votes just hours from now. president obama made a last-minute trip to the hill yesterday afternoon for the final push. joining us now, two men at the center of that fight, house republican leader john boehner of ohio and house democratic leader steny hoyer of maryland. both of you welcome back to "meet the press" on a big day. >> good to be with you, david. >> nice to see you. >> leader hoyer, 216 votes. where are you this morning? >> we're going to get those 216 votes because we believe they understand that americans want health care reform by overwhelming majority. >> do you have them as we sit here? >> i think we'll have 216 votes when the roll is called yes. >> but not yet? you're not nailed down, a few behind? >> there are still members looking at it, tryin

our "meet the press minute," remembering noted feminist, prolific author and celebrated humorist liz carpentd yesterday at the age of 89. she started her career as a newspaper reporter and became the first female economic assistant to vice president lyndon johnson. she appeared on "meet the press" in 19677 as the co-founder of the national women's political caw kaus to debate the equal right's amendment with the founder and of stop equal rights. >> i read a poll by a catholic organization which said that 68% of the catholics were pro-e.r.a. but anti-abortion. these two issues have been linked very strongly in the minds of the public. you are either pro-e.r.a. and pro-abortion or anti--e.r.a. and anti-abortion, yet there seems to be quite a split, and has the e.r.a. america done anything, are women who are anti-abortion welcome in the pro-e.r.a. movement? >> absolutely. as a matter of fact, i hope that america will read the national plan of action, because it will deny a great many of the things that mrs. schafley has been sega cross this country. the e.r.a. has nothing to do with abortion, n

liz carpenter has died. she was 89. aid once of his fellow texan "liz would charge hell with a bucket of water." she was a trail blazing journalist hired to work for lyndon johnson. she famously wrote the 58 word speech johnson gave upon arriving back in washington after jfk's assassination in dallas. she was lady bird's press secretary, an author, political operative and women's rights advocate. she called herself, a foot washing, psalm singing total immersion democrat. she travelled the world with president johnson, asleep as a camera found her on air force one, back in the days when they still passed out free backs of old gold cigarettes onboard. she is shown here with, of all people, stewart udall back in 1965. >>> when we come back tonight -- it really might be the next best thing to being there and it is making a big difference. we've always been alike. we even both have osteoporosis. but we're active, especially when we vacation. so when i heard about reclast, the only once-a-year iv osteoporosis treatment, i call

liz carpenter, a journalist and a feminist and an aide to lyndon johnson.the first press secretary for first lady lady byrd johnson. what you think of the health care bill? good morning. caller: -- what about the bill and paul ryan had gone back and ask, as you did on c-span earlier, the cbo re-worked it on the docket? they said it would wipe the deficit. the 16,000 additional personnel they will hire at the irs. if there are no taxes included for the american people, why do have that many people? it is hypocritical. they know that is going to happen. the american people need to get a hold of their representatives and tell them how they feel. this is completely ridiculous. people do not believe they are going to have a tax increase. then why do have these people enforcing the law? host: that was in "the washington post" this morning. we will get to that later. reed wilson is with us. good morning. where are we at? guest: they are close to getting the votes they need. it is unclear if they have more than that. a couple of lawmakers are suggesting they have a