CBC member: Health bill protesters called lawmakers the N-word  —  Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.) claimed Saturday that healthcare protesters at the Capitol directed racial epithets at him Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) as they walked outside.  —  Carson, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus along with Lewis …

Tea Party sign threatens gun violence if health care passes.  —  Tea Party activists have gathered on Capitol Hill today for a “Code Red” rally against health care reform.  Speakers at the event included Republican Reps. Steve King (IA), Michele Bachmann (MN), and Mike Pence (IN).

Menacing  —  Things are getting pretty heated in the Capitol with crowds of anti-Reform/Tea Party activists going through the halls shouting slogans and epithets at Democratic members of Congress.  —  As our Brian Beutler reports, a few moments ago in the Longworth office building …

Protesters hurl slurs and spit at Democrats  —  Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis was the target if racial slurs on Saturday.  —  Washington (CNN) - Civil rights icon and veteran Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, said anti-health care bill protesters Saturday repeatedly yelled the “N” …

PROTESTING OBAMACARE IN WASHINGTON: Reader Barrett Cunningham sends this photo and reports: “It's an incredible turnout Glenn, and people just keep coming.”  —  And reader Alan Poston sends this pic and reports a crowd estimate of 30,000 was given at the scene.  Not sure of the source.

Rep. Frank wants GOP to distance itself from Tea Party protests after gay slurs  —  Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), called a “Homo Communist” on Saturday by protesters opposed to President Barack Obama's health plan, says his GOP colleagues need to do more to “differentiate themselves” …

Pelosi steeled W.H. for health push  —  In the jittery days following Scott Brown's Senate victory, Nancy Pelosi was eager to resurrect comprehensive health reform.  But first, she had to get past longtime ally Rahm Emanuel, who was counseling President Barack Obama to consider a smaller, piecemeal approach.

‘Stupak dozen’ is now a half-dozen holdouts  —  Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) says that “at least six” of his original “dozen” members are standing firmly against the Senate healthcare bill.  —  Following a 20-minute huddle on the House floor with a handful of the holdouts, Stupak told reporters that he has …

Rules Committee meeting descends into chaos  —  At the House Rules Committee meeting, Democrats desperate to pass their national health care plan are running into the barrier of basic civics.  Here is the problem: The Senate has passed its HCR bill.  If the House passes the same bill …