Finishing work on a health-care overhaul, a key Senate panel engaged in a spirited debate about whether the measure is "riddled" with tax increases that would violate President Obama's campaign pledge not to raise taxes on middle-class Americans.

Republicans cited that vow in attempting to strip billions of dollars in fees and taxes from the package. "There are going to be a lot of people whose taxes are increased by this legislation," said Sen. Mike Crapo (Idaho), if it violates "the promise and the pledge the president has made to the American people."