Nov 07 2009
House Passes Health Care Bill
By a 220-215 vote, the House of Representatives approved a health-care reform bill Saturday. One Republican, Joseph Cao of Louisiana, joined 219 Democrats in support of the bill. The other 176 Republicans were joined by 39 Democrats against the measure.
The bill must still be passed by the Senate. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) has publicly fretted that legislation may not be approved by his chamber this year. The House will be off next week for Veterans’ Day. Thanksgiving and Christmas are also on the horizon.
Therefore, there likely aren’t many legislative days left in 2009. Each day that ticks off the calendar before next year’s midterm election makes approving a bill a little less likely. Even if the Senate passes one of the two bills that has survived a full committee vote, reconciliation with the House version must be done.
Both chambers must eventually approve an identical bill. That process will take more time. Opponents are surely counting on time and electoral prospects to stop action.
Cao is considered the most vulnerable incumbent in Congress. He is a freshman representative who was elected in 2008 because then-Rep. William Jefferson was under federal indictment for corruption. He has since been convicted and is serving a prison sentence.
Cao’s district is heavily Democratic so he seems to have voted in his district’s interests. That’s clearly what the 39 Democrats who opposed the bill did, even after President Obama addressed Democratic House members this morning. He told them in part not to be worried about Republican threats of retribution should they vote for the bill. Being Democrats, the President warned, is enough to draw their fire.
Under their liberal thinking, this was a win. Even though they lost 39 members of their own party, they cheer about the close vote. It will never pass in the Senate. Remember, its all about choice even though everyone will be mandated to purchase health insurance or face fines and possible jail time. Make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. This is the worst bill ever put forth in the history of our country, not to mention that it is unconstitutional.