Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she lacks the votes to push the Senate's sweeping health overhaul bill through the House, a potentially devastating blow to President Barack Obama's signature issue.

The California Democrat made the comment to reporters Thursday after House Democrats held a closed-door meeting at which participants vented frustration with the massive version of the legislation.

Pelosi said, "In its present form without any changes I don't think it's possible to pass the Senate bill in the House. ... I don't see the votes for it at this time." Many House Democrats, reeling from their loss of the Massachusetts Senate seat in this week's special election, want the party to pursue a more modest health bill.y on health care.