Just in case you’re wondering, the sole Republican who voted for health reform last round, this time voted against it.
Rep. Anh Joseph Cao (pictured) was among the 178 Republican members of Congress who unanimously voted against the package of the Senate bill and a series of amendments that passed the House 219-212 earlier tonight.
Like the previous time in November, abortion was the obstacle for this former Jesuit seminarian.
In November, Cao had gone along with the House version of the bill based on amendments offered by Rep. Bart Stupak that, to Cao, guarantees no federal funds are used to pay for abortions.
This time, he didn’t think the Senate’s language offers enough assurance. Whereas Stupak thought an executive order signed by President Obama is good enough for him, it isn’t for Cao.
“The executive order is not law; it can be changed by the next administration, it can be overturned by court order,” he said.
“The issue of abortion is so personal to me that I cannot in good conscience vote for a bill that has the legal impact of using federal funding for abortion,” Cao said in an interview, explaining that he participated in a late-night meeting with Stupak and the White House on Saturday.
Last November, when Cao voted for health reform, the Republican Party turned on him, and the House minority whip Rep. Eric Cantor pointedly refused to shake his hand.
The predicament Joseph Cao is facing is rather unique due to his Republican affiliation and his obligation to his heavily democratic leaning district. He is in the no-men’s land, he has no political future regardless which way he voted.
* By using democratic principle, then he would have to side with his constituents and support the bill.
* By using the republic principle, then he would vote against the bill. People of New Orleans elected him to be their representative with his values and characters. He does not have to agree with his voters.
Mr. Cao have to consider which outcome is more desirable for his future : following democratic practice to reflect his constituents, thus bring more votes for re-election. However, voting no on the bill might bring him back in line with the Republican party.
In reality, it might be too late for him, his fundraising has been lackluster due to waning support from Republican party machine. In the meanwhile, plenty of democrats in his district are jumping with joy, ready to take him down, using his health care vote as key issue.
“My vote is a no, because the Senate bill has a less restrictive language of abortion than the House bill,” said Cao, “abortion is not an issue that I can compromise, because I feel it is a moral wrong.”
The abortion issue is just a cover for a lot of representatives, who were trying to position themselves with their constituents for re-election.
Mr. Cao, you are the true LEADER!
Go Mr.Cao!
Since the measure is passed Mr. Cao’s vote didn’t make any different anyway, but his decision (voting “No”) will affect his re-election outcome later on.
Jesus will lead Cao’s way. May God bless you and may God bless America and keep all those who voted for Health Reform in Hell eternally.
wow cao went from a hero to a zero pretty quickly. you can stick a fork in him he’s done!
Rather said something that people want to hear, Mr. Cao went with his belief. Good for him!
Jesus will judge him, no one else can. May God bless us all!
Viet Repub wrote : “may God bless America and keep all those who voted for Health Reform in Hell eternally”
ha ha, you wish ! but God doesn’t take side my friend. If he does, he probably keep all those who voted “no” in hell eternally for not helping the low income people with their healthcare needs.
Health Reform is painfull for the rich, but it’s a life saving for the poor.
May God make Viet Repub and all members of his family very poor someday so he would feel how painful it is to be poor. May God make Viet Repub very sick after he became broke so he would appreciate the real value of Health Reform.
The “Health Reform” is a gimmick to charge poor for a medical services already provided by the government at “No Charge”.
How can a unemployed poor families can afford to pay now mandatory health insurance premiums?
How many times have we heard of middle class/poor families ended up owning the hospitals ten thousands of dollars after their major ilnesses/surgeries or the hospitals refused to treat them since they didn’t have health insurances ?
Fiscally, it’s painful for the US as a nation to go thru Health Reform, but it is about time to fix something that has been broken for decades.
Even with this difficult eceonomic time, the US is still the richest and most powerful nation on earth. IT MUST TAKE CARE ALL OF ITS’ CITIZENS, REGARDLESS HOW SICK OR HOW POOR THEY ARE.
A poor/unemployed families DO NOT pay pay tens of thousands of medical bills from their $200 dollar bank account!
Again, how can a poor/unemployed families pay for their government mandated medical insurance premiums?….. they can’t!.
Currently all county hospitals are obligated to treat “non – paying patients” regardless of their insurance membership.
US is still the most powerful nation on earth but not necessary the richest. Thanks to those people who just want to sit on their fat asses all days, trying to figure a way to manipulate the welfare system so they don’t have to go to work and pay the taxes. For those that want to ” share the wealth … “, well, all of you should you go making the wealth then you can say ” share it ! “
Teach people how to become a fishermen. Government subsidies should only help children and elderly.
Jung Kim said “Currently all county hospitals are obligated to treat “non – paying patients” regardless of their insurance membership”.
It’s true, but they flooded every hospital’s emergency rooms just to have a chance to see a doctor. The situation is out-of-control, critical ill patients (with insurance coveraged) also have to get in line to wait for services.
Furthermore, uninsured people, since they can’t afford to pay for doctor visit, they often wait until they’re very sick to drop in hospital emergency rooms, by then they’re already crititical ill, their treatments would be extremely high and we, the tax payers, have to pick up the sky-high expensive bills.
With this new Health Reform measure, everyone is allowed to visit doctor right away before their illnesses worsen.
Viet Repub you represent nothing anymore. Viets are turning dem quicker than your hair is turning gray. Read the health bill before you have an opinion, because most republicans refuse to read anything. The bill doesnt allow federal spending on abortions, just private money. The health care system we have now allows insurance companies to pay for abortions, therefore allowing more abortions. You are truly one of the ignorant ones. If you truly believe in Jesus, then you should believe in helping the less fortunate and allow them healthcare, their right.
Right now, the insurance premium goes up base on your age and health cost. If it’s getting too expenses and you can no longer afford it then you just have to cancel without even waiting for the insurance company to turn you down. So since you have read the bill, could you tell me whether the new bill has any control over the premium?
Rather than voting for his constituent, this Rep gave in to his Party ideology.
Most people in LS are directly or indirectly affected by the recent economy down turn (e.g. your health care went away with your job, COBRA is a joke).
Most people in LS either have kids or parent/grandparent relying on social service. Most people in LS have kids who going through public K-12 school or university/college.
Only a handful would make more than $250K a year after deduction.
Anh Joseph Cao did not cast the vote for whom he represent.
@ Jung Kim
County Hospital only treat those without insurance in an emergency situation:
What is an emergency situation ? the threat of lost of life or limb.
How do they know if it is an emergency? when you are with a high temperature fever (high enough that seizure is imminent) or bleeding profusely or your body count is more than one pieces.
If you show up with a hernia that is so painful you can’t even walk. Good luck.
If you show up with a back pain that is so unbearing that you can’t even sit. Good luck.
If you show up with broken eyes glass that without you can’t see or drive. Good luck.
If you show up with allergy or asthma condition which you can hardly breath. Good luck.
We have to treat sick people (or better yet keep them from getting sick) and show them how to be a constructive and productive citizen again.
@Just asking! March 22
>> Rather said something that people want to hear, Mr. Cao went with his belief. Good for him!
What the Heck ? He is not suppose to vote for his belief (in God or in Man).
He is suppose to vote for those he represent.
@Viet Repub Says: March 22nd, 2010 at 3:06 pm
>> Jesus will lead Cao’s way.
You are joking right ? Jesus don’t care.
We are of a simulation in a simulation. You are in the Matrix buddy.
If you are creating a simulation which thread another. Why should you be involve with an instances. It would affect the outcome of the purpose.
@4:30
Really, you need to come to your senses. Don’t you think Mr. Cao is somebody too and what he want and believe in doesn’t count or what? And how do you know that those he represented are all want the same thing? When it comes to a decision like pro-life or pro-choice, it should be up to the individual to decide. It’s not fair to make anyone goes against his belief disregard whose he’s representing.
Mr. Cao strongly believe killing innocent babies with public fund is WRONG!
Thank you Mr. Cao for voting “NO”!
junk kim is a moron. Uneducated moron. Typical right wing idiot.
Ho chi Ass is a loser and blood thirst baby killer!
Baby Killing = BAD
Loretta Sanchez = Voted to Murder Babies
Loretta Sanchez = BAD
http://www.sinksanchez.com