Landmark Vote on ObamaCare Scheduled for a Rare Sunday Afternoon Vote
Sunday March 20, 2010, could be one of the most remembered days in American history. The United States House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on “ObamaCare”, Part Two. The day will be remembered either as that day that personal freedom and individual liberty were destroyed, or that day that single-payer health care finally died. No piece of legislation in recent memory has caused as great of an uproar among the electorate as this intrusive and costly health care legislation has.
Congressional offices have been deluged with phone calls, emails and letters from citizens who are livid about this legislation. Members of Congress are beholden to the wishes of their constituents, much to their chagrin. Thus, if a majority of constituents are opposed to a major piece of legislation, it is expected that the member of Congress votes against it. This is unlikely to happen with the health care legislation, however, as the vast majority of Democrats are poised to support this legislation even with the vast majority of their constituents opposed to the legislation.
The passage of this legislation by the House of Representatives on Sunday is likely to further usher in a Republican revolution in 2010. Many political pundits are predicting that if this legislation were to pass, the Republican gains in the 2010 midterm elections would greatly supersede those of 1994, in which the G.O.P won over forty House seats and 8 Senate seats. Many long-serving Democratic incumbents could possibly see their congressional careers come to an end if they support this legislation. Members such as David Obey (D-WI), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee; Rep. John Spratt (D-S.C.), Chairman of the House Budget Committee; Paul Kanjorski (D-PA), and Ron Kind (D-WI), to name a few. The author chose these members because they make a wide variety of Democratic members, and all of them face tough reelection campaigns in 2010.
For example, Dave Obey has been elected to the House every two years since 1969, and has been one of the most outspoken liberals in Congress throughout his career. John Spratt comes from one of the nation’s most conservative states yet has one of the most liberal voting records in Congress. Paul Kanjorski is one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the House for the second straight election. In 2008, after voting for the mortgage and auto bailouts, which his constituents strongly opposed, many political pundits expected he would be defeated by Lout Barletta. Lastly, Ron Kind claims to be one of the most fiscally conservative Democrats in the House but has continuously voted for spending and tax increases. Kind faces his first major challenge in 2010, as he is set to square off against popular State Senator Dan Kapanke. What is the likelihood of this legislation passing in the House on Sunday? The reports are mixed, as some sources say that the Democrats have enough votes for passage and other claim they are still several votes short.
As of today, Saturday, March 20, 2010, the legislation has 204 confirmed no votes, 203 confirmed yes votes, and 24 senators who have not indicated which way they intend to vote. This vote total confirms that the Democrats are nowhere near the 216 votes they need for passage of this legislation. Many of those who are still “undecided” – if you can really be undecided at this point – come from districts that are either toss-ups, or leaning Republican in 2010. Being that this is the case, it is likely that a majority of those 24 Representatives, who have not yet revealed how they intend to vote, will vote against passage of the legislation.
Since Monday, five Representatives who voted against the initial legislation have indicated that they will support the legislation this time. Of those five, all but staunch liberal Dennis Kucinich have announced that they will not seek reelection in 2010. Moreover, two Representatives who voted in favor of the legislation in November—Republican Joseph Cao of Louisiana and Democrat Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts—have indicated they will now vote against the legislation. Three members who voted in favor of the legislation in November are no longer in the House: Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii, who is running for governor, John Murtha of Pennsylvania, who passed away last month, and Robert Wexler of Florida, who became the new President of the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation. Lastly, nine Representatives who voted against the initial legislation are reserving judgment currently, and four members who initially voted for the legislation are currently reserving judgment, including two staunch pro-life Democrats; Bart Stupak of Michigan and Brad Ellsworth of Indiana. All of this analysis indicates one thing; the Democrats do not have the votes necessary to pass their health care legislation and, as a result, are in panic mode.
The people have spoken and now many moderate Democrats have listened. Many of these moderates serve in districts that Senator McCain won in 2008. As Political Scientist David Mayhew once stated in his now infamous tome Congress: The Electoral Connection, members of Congress are single-minded reelection seekers. This means moderate Democrats will vote against this legislation in order to keep their jobs. If you are curious as to how your member is planning on voting check out this excellent chart, compiled by the Wall Street Journal. http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/st_healthbillhousevote2_20100302.html
Democrats are willing to use whatever methods they can to pass their health care legislation. Speaker Pelosi has been offering members perks if they vote for this legislation. For example, Nancy Pelosi promised Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.), that the State Owned bank of North Dakota would be the only bank in the nation still allowed to make student loans. Moreover, Pelosi also promised one Tennessee representative that his district would receive extra funding for hospitals that are known to treat low-income patients. This outright bribery, coupled with the decision to pass this bill using the controversial technique of reconciliation just shows how desperate the Democrats are to pass this unwanted legislation.
As aforementioned, the American people have spoken out against this legislation and will continue to do so in the coming days. If you have not yet contacted your member of Congress, PAI urges you to do so immediately. This legislation is the greatest destruction of individual liberty ever proposed. Now is the time to stand up for liberty, individual freedom and American values. Call your member of Congress today and tell them to vote against this bloated and unwanted legislation.
