When surveyed, Montana Democrats gave him a 52 percent approval rating.

"No citizen of this country could write a health care plan to which all their neighbors agreed," said Pat Williams, a Montana Democrat.

Senator Max Baucus, Democrat of Montana, is promoting such a deal.

"A cascade," said the Montana Democrat in the act of leaving Congress and this city after 18 years in the House.

Pat Williams, Democrat of Montana, introduced the bill in the House last Friday.

The Montana Democrat is thinking ahead to the time when the Rules Committee will try to structure a compromise among various House bills.

The challenge was brought by Senator John Melcher, Democrat of Montana.

Senator Max Baucus, Democrat of Montana, is trying to fashion a compromise bill.

"The emergency is upon us," Senator John Melcher, Democrat of Montana, said.

The Montana Democrat, serving his fifth term in the Senate, says Social Security needs shoring up.