Nancy Pelosi on the Obamacare Act

Here's what Nancy Pelosi actually meant by the infamous remark she made about the Obamacare Act.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to accomplish something truly monumental, a goal that had eluded Democrats for more than a century: health-care coverage for all Americans, especially those who otherwise lacked access to affordable care.

As Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi played a pivotal role in passing the Affordable Care Act (also known as the Obamacare Act.)  She used her negotiation skills to build a House majority and maintained pressure on the Obama administration to keep the bill comprehensive.  She made tough compromises, and, despite liberal Democrats' initial desire for more robust options, she ensured the final bill would secure coverage for millions. 

With a congressional vote looming in 2010, Pelosi was rallying support for the Obamacare Act at a legislative conference when she delivered the famous line that has brought her relentless criticism for the past 15 years.  

The Quote:

“We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what's in it...”

— Nancy Pelosi, Remarks at the 2010 Legislative Conference for the National Association of Counties, March 9, 2010, Washington, D.C. Source

Context:

“We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what's in it” is a truncated version of a remark Pelosi made while addressing the National Association of Counties. Shared out of context, the quote seems to imply that lawmakers hadn't read the legislation.

However,  the full quote tells a different story. 

What Pelosi actually said was, “We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what's in it, away from the fog of controversy." She was arguing that the law’s benefits—such as protections for people with pre-existing conditions and stronger community health centers—would only be fully appreciated once the political noise died down after the Obamacare Care Act became law. To Pelsi, the details and advantages of Obamacare were being obscured by political spin, and that voters would judge it more fairly once they saw its real-world effects. 

Legislative Reading Norms

U.S. laws are never passed without being read and understood. The legislative process allows for thorough consideration of proposed laws by both chambers of Congress. The process typically involves three "readings" where the bill is introduced, debated and amended, and then voted on. (source)

Read the full transcript of Nancy Pelosi's speech. 

Who Said It?

Nancy Pelosi (D-California) is a longtime Democratic congresswoman from San Francisco and the first woman ever to serve as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Born March 26, 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland, she grew up in a politically active Italian-American family, graduated from Trinity College in Washington, D.C., and later moved to San Francisco with her husband, businessman Paul Pelosi, and their five children.

First elected to Congress in 1987, Pelosi quickly rose through Democratic leadership, becoming House minority leader in 2002 and the 52nd Speaker of the House in 2007. She held the gavel twice, from 2007–2011 and again from 2019–2023, and became one of the most powerful and longest-serving party leaders in modern congressional history.

Pelosi has been a key player in major Democratic initiatives, including opposition to the Iraq War, passage of the Affordable Care Act, and COVID-era relief bills. She also presided over two impeachments of President Donald Trump. In 2025, she announced she would not seek reelection in 2026, bringing a four-decade House career toward its close.

Recommended Reading:

The Constitution of the United States and The Declaration of Independence Paperback

Up Next ➝ Marjorie Taylor Greene Doesn't know Peach Trees from Petries

Check Out ➝ Did Hillary Clinton Joke About Wiping Her eMail Server to Thwart FBI?

Popular ➝ Is it True Al Gore Invented the Internet?

Don't Miss ➝ Video: Maxine Waters - Pants on Fire (Trump Impeachment)

We Think You'll Love ➝ Do As I Say, Not As I Do - 10x U.S. Politicians Were Blatant Hypocrites