WASHINGTON — House Democratic leaders say President Barack Obama, who made a quick trip to Capitol Hill, inspired their party to pass health care legislation.

Obama met with the Democrats behind closed doors on Saturday morning.

A vote was planned for Saturday evening, and the president is courting fellow Democrats because Republicans intend to oppose the health care bill.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after the meeting that she couldn't help think of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., who died of brain cancer last summer. Kennedy championed health care reform, and Kennedy said before he died that Obama would inspire a new generation to act.