The clock ticking, House and Senate lawmakers scrambled to advance a health care reform package Tuesday even though Democratic leaders have admitted that neither chamber will be able to approve a bill before the August recess.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Monday night that a floor vote on health care reform "clearly will not be possible" by Friday.

But House Democrats are trying to at least pass their version of the bill out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the only House panel yet to vote on the package, this week...