Bill Owens was sworn in Friday as the north country's newest Congressman.

Owens reiterated his support for the House Democratic health care reform proposal.

That proposal could be voted on as soon as Saturday, though last minute adjustments may push the vote back to Sunday or early next week.

"This legislation will reform the insurance industry and provide increased access to affordable healthcare without taxing healthcare benefits, cutting Medicare benefits or raising taxes on the middle class, and that is exactly the direction we need to go," said Owens in a prepared statement.

Owens said he favors adjustments to the bill, including raising the payroll exemption for small business. That said, Owens notes "there is a fundamental need for reform and we must act with a sense of urgency." 

Owens was sworn in twice Friday - once on the floor of the House of Representatives and once in a ceremony in the office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

In remarks prepared for the swearing in, Owens pledged to "work hard each and every day."

The timing of his swearing-in could not be more critical; Fox News reported Friday that Pelosi and the rest of the House Democratic leadership do not have the 218 votes they need, and that last minute adjustments were being made to the bill.