Local & National Reports

Dear Patriots, (Local and National Reports from yesterday on Capitol Hill)

1) See you tonite as we celebrate St. Patty's Day at Sartory Hall at Mullins Park in Coral Springs as we are in the final 4 weeks to get another grassroots Conservative Republican, Edward Lynch, to Congress April 13th. Meet at 6:30pm and party to start at 7:00pm. Hosted by the Republican Business Network

2) DC Works For US March 18th: See you tomorrow night at Wings Plus in Coral Springs 7-9pm as we meet the dynamic, Connor Lanser, the teenage patriot, radio talk show host and political activist.
Also, we will meet Judge Jay Hurley, Broward Judge. Health Care Report and Campaign Strategy.

3) Yesterday, our hearts were with those who were fighting with all their might in Washington DC, Republicans are fighting hard for us in Congress.

Hear this speech by Rep. Michelle Bachmann regarding all the devious schemes that are made and executed to push the Health Care Bill through.

http://www.thefoxnation.com/michele-bachmann/2010/03/16/bachmann-we-wont-obey-illegitimate-health-care-bill

From Brian McManus in D.C. (Health Care Freedom Coalition).
These are the fence-sitters. Go to www.house.gov to get their numbers and be relentless. Use their own words against them.

Rep. John Adler (D-N.J.): If the House and Senate can't work out cost
containment, I don't see how I could support a bill that doesn't help our
business community," Rep. John Adler (D., N.J.) said on "Fox News Sunday."
(John D. McKinnon and Jared Favole, “Democrats Voice Health-Bill Doubts,”
The
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870470630457510775221714...
tml> Wall Street Journal, 3/8/10)

Rep. John Adler (D-N.J.): “If the House and the Senate can’t work out cost
containment, I don’t see how I support a bill that doesn’t help our business
community and create more jobs.” (Fox News Sunday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fXtGeIZr8o> , 3/7/10)

Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA): "Is she going to be able to hold everybody that
was for it before?" Altmire asked. "What about the marginal members in the
middle who got hammered over this vote and would love a second chance to
perhaps go against it?" (Erica Werner, “Hoyer: Comprehensive Health Bill May
Be No Go,” The Associated
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100223/D9E21G2G0.html> Press, 2/23/10)

Rep. Jason Altmire said today on Fox News that the President’s health care
plan is a “missed opportunity” and is “very weak in cost containment.” (Fox
News http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hy-WOCDNus> , 2/23/10)

Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA): Others, like Representative Jason Altmire, a
Pennsylvania Democrat who also voted against the House bill, seem to wonder
aloud why Mr. Obama is bothering. With so many Democrats feeling nervous
about their past votes in favor of the health bill, Mr. Altmire said, he can
imagine vote-switching in only one direction: from yes to no. “I don’t know
of any no votes at this point that would switch unless the bill is
substantially changed, including me,” he said. “And I know of a handful of
‘yes’ votes who regret it and would relish the opportunity to put a ‘no’
vote on the board so they could go back home and talk about that.” (The New
York http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/us/politics/28health.html> Times,
2/28/10)

Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA): “The Senate has given us a lot of reason not to
trust them. Certainly that’s a key component of the dynamic of getting the
votes is there has to be some certainty that the Senate is going to follow
through on their part.” (Fox News Sunday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMteaCW7090> . 3/7/10)

Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA): "I'm not sure we've gone far enough in terms of
fixing the underlying system to make it affordable for businesses and
taxpayers." Rep. Jason Altmire (D., Pa.), also appearing on Fox, said he
needed "to see a much clearer picture of the cost containment." (John D.
McKinnon and Jared Favole, “Democrats Voice Health-Bill Doubts,” The
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870470630457510775221714...
tml> Wall Street Journal, 3/8/10)

Rep. Michael Arcuri (D-NY) on the Senate bill: "There would have to be some
dramatic changes in it for me to change my position," Arcuri said…Arcuri
says his opposition is based on three main concerns: That the bill is too
sweeping and comprehensive; that Democrats plan to use reconciliation to
amend it in various ways; and, substantively, that it calls for taxes on
health benefits. (Brian Beutler, “For It Before He Was Against It: Arcuri
Will Likely Vote No On Health Care,” Talking
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/03/before-it-before-he-was-ag...
it-arcuri-will-likely-vote-no-on-health-care.php> Points Memo, 3/3/10)

Rep. Michael Arcuri (D-NY) “NO” on health care: "I think the President wants
action, but many people that represent moderate districts such as myself
think that hey, you know, we need to take this thing and do it in a more
incremental way, and we continue to think that." (Gary Liberatore, “Arcuri
to Vote 'no' on Senate's Health Care Reform Bill,” WKTV.com
http://www.wktv.com/news/local/86765677.html> , 3/7/10)

Rep. Michael Arcuri (D-NY): Arcuri, D-Utica, said he has multiple concerns
with the Senate bill. "It's not one thing in particular," the second-term
congressman said. "There is a real concern the changes we want in the Senate
bill will not be passed.” (Mark Weiner, “Central New York Congressmen Emerge
As Key Swing Votes on Final Health Care Bill,” The
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/central_new_york_congr...
_e.html> Post-Standard, 3/8/10)

Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA): He responded "yes" when host Candy Crowley asked if
he would vote against the current proposals even if it meant that healthcare
reform went down. (Bridget Johnson, “Baird: Healthcare Votes of Retiring
Democrats Aren't Necessarily In the Bag,” The
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/85317-baird-healthca...
es-of-retiring-dems-arent-necessarily-in-the-bag> Hill, 3/7/10)

Rep Shelley Berkley (D-NV): “I am not inclined to support the Senate
version,” said Representative Shelley Berkley, Democrat of Nevada, who voted
for the House bill in November. “I would like something more concrete than a
promise. The Senate cannot promise its way out of a brown paper bag.”
(Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Robert Pear, “Obama Calls For ‘Up or Down Vote’ On
Health Care Bill,” The New
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/health/policy/04health.html> York Times,
3/4/10)

Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK): “They can break my arms. They can do whatever they
want to and they’ll never get my vote. Ever,” Boren said. “I mean they’ll
have to walk across my dead body if they want my vote on this issue.” (“The
Gales of November Came Early,” FoxNews.com
http://congress.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/03/06/the-gales-of-november-ca...
ly/> , 3/6/10)

Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK): We cannot raise taxes in the middle of a recession.
We cannot create a brand-new entitlement program when we can't afford the
ones that we have now. (Fox & Friends, 3/10/10)

Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA): I reject unequivocally the unsavory deal making
that took place in the Senate where Nebraska, Florida and Louisiana obtained
special benefits that do not apply to the other states, and those special
benefits provided to those states at the expense of residents of all the
other states,” he said. “I simply cannot support legislation that contains
those unwarranted giveaways to a select few states at the expense of the
others…Boucher said he is hearing that cuts to Medicare funding to help pay
for the reform package “may be as great as $500 billion. That’s ‘billion’
with a ‘B.’” … “I am persuaded that Medicare cuts at that level would impair
the delivery of health care within our region. We have a large population
that receives Medicare. It is the principal source of income for our
nonprofit hospitals and virtually all the hospitals in my district,” Boucher
said. (Steve, Igo, “Boucher Won't Support Health Reform With Medicare Cuts,”
The
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/obama-begins-summoning-...
ded-house-dems-for-one-on-one-meetings/> Kingsport Times News, 3/13/10)

Rep. Allen Boyd (D-FL): Rep. Allen Boyd, a conservative Democrat from
Florida who voted no last time on the health overhaul, said Friday that
using reconciliation would be "very problematic for a lot of House members"
who don't want Congress to override public concerns with the Democratic
health bill. (Greg Hitt And Janet Adamy, “Pelosi, Democrats Push Ahead With
Health Care,” The
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870462500457508957296232...
tml?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5%3E> Wall Street Journal, 2/27/10)

Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA): At this writing, it is not at all clear what
legislative changes will be made to the final bill. Reconciliation is a
complicated and dangerous process. In this instance, it requires the House
to adopt the Senate bill and then trust that the Senate will pass, and the
President will sign the reconciled bill that "fixes" any problems in the
existing Senate bill. There is great risk in this course of action…Beyond
the process, Capuano lays out a series of substantive concerns he has with
the Senate bill, some of which he believes will fail the reconciliation
test. (Brian Beutler, “Capuano Suggests He's Leaning No on Health Care,”
Talking
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/03/capuano-suggests-hes-leani...
on-health-care.php?ref=fpblg> Points Memo, 3/11/10)

Rep. Chris Carney (D-PA): "As I said publicly, I can't vote for a bill that
will publicly fund abortion," Rep. Chris Carney (D-Pa.) told the Scranton
Times-Shamrock. (Aaron Blake, “Carney Holds Line On Abortion Funding,” The
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/86719-carney-holds-li...
abortion-funding> Hill, 3/15/10)

Rep. Ben Chandler (D-KY): “Congressman Chandler’s position on the bill
remains the same,” Chandler spokesperson Jennifer Krimm tells our reporter
Ryan Derousseau. “He expects to vote against the legislation.” (Greg
Sargent, “Two More House Dems To Vote No,” The
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/two-more-house-dems-mov...
-the-no-camp/> Plum Line, 3/12/10)

Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL): "I'm opposed to the Senate bill in its current
form." His concerns with voting for the Senate bill are that it would allow
public funding for abortions, that the congressional budget office has yet
to determine the cost of the bill, and that partially funding the bill by
slowing the growth of Medicare by $500 billion would adversely affect senior
citizens…I don't like the process at all - I think the White House and the
leadership has bungled this from the start," he said. "It's so complicated
that the American people are fearful of what's in the bill - this is a very
complex issue that affects every man, woman and child, and it's so complex
that it scares people." (Kathie Bassett, “Costello Opposes Heath Care Reform
Bill in Its Current Form,” The
http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/community-37526-bill-costello.html>
Telegraph, 3/14/10)

Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper (D-OH): While Mrs. Dahlkemper campaigned as a
supporter of health care reform and made an impassioned plea on the House
floor in July, citing access as the problem that demanded action from
Washington, she’s made it clear since the House acted in November that the
key issue for her is abortion…Her office confirmed that recently when her
spokeswoman said that Mrs. Dahlkemper could not support the Senate’s
language “period.” (Nick Hildebrand, “Dahlkemper’s Health Care Opinion Is
Hot Topic,” http://www.sharonherald.com/local/local_story_065233112.html>
The Sharon Herald, 3/6/10)

Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL): "Congressman Davis will be present for the HC vote
and he is a no," Davis's communications director, Addie Whisenant, wrote in
an email. (Jeffrey Young, “Alabama Dem Lawmaker Will Break
From Campaign
Trail to Oppose Health Reform,” The
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/85485-alabama-dem-la...
-will-break-from-campaign-trail-to-oppose-health-reform> Hill, 3/8/10)

Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-IN): President Barack Obama wants Congress to vote yes
or no on a comprehensive reform measure from the Senate. Donnelly likes a
lot about the bill, but its language on abortion is a "fatal flaw." For him,
it is a deal breaker. "I would not vote for it," he said. He figures there
will be a vote within a month or so. The abortion language is unpopular with
"a significant" number of congressmen. It has the potential to kill the
bill, he said…Joe Donnelly would prefer voting on health care reform one
piece at a time. (W.S. Wilson, “Donnelly: Pass Health Bill In Pieces,” The
http://www.rochsent.com/main.asp?SectionID=15&SubSectionID=31&Article...
6> Rochester Sentinel, 3/9/10)

Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-OH): "While I certainly support this initiative ...
I will not bend on the principle of federal funding on abortion," Driehaus
said in an interview with The Enquirer. "They are going to have to do it
without me and without the other pro-life Democrats." (Malia Rulon, “Biden
Visiting But Driehaus Unswayed,” The
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100314/NEWS0108/3150325/Biden+vi...
+but+Driehaus+unswayed> Cincinnati Enquirer, 3/14/10)

Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-OH): Last fall, I worked to pass legislation to bring
needed changes to our health care system, while putting in place strict
prohibitions on the use of taxpayer funding for abortion. The House will
soon take up this issue again. When there is a final piece of legislation, I
will take the time needed to review the bill and determine how I will vote.
However, my overall position is unchanged. Health care reform is critically
important for our nation, and I support efforts to enact changes to our
system - if those changes are done the right way. But I'm firm in my
commitment that I won't support legislation that provides federal funding
for abortion.

Rep. Chet Edward (D-TX): “Once again, it will be a ‘no’ from Rep. Chet
Edwards, D-Waco, on healthcare as congressional Democrats scramble for every
critical vote. ‘If the question is whether I would vote for the
comprehensive health care bill currently being considered, the answer is
'no,'’ Edwards said in a statement to the Star-Telegram.” (Maria Recio,
“Waco Democrat Chet Edwards Says He’ll Vote No on Health Bill Again,” Fort
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/04/2016321/waco-democrat-chet-ed...
says.html> Worth Star-Telegram, 3/4/10)

Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ): “As I weigh it, I think — for me — a ‘no’ vote is
something that I continue to lean toward,” Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., the
co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told Salon in a brief
interview off the House floor Wednesday. “Especially the last additions —
that was kind of a slap in the face for all of us who fought for the public
option.” (Greg Sargent, “Key House Liberal “Leaning” Towards No On Health
Reform,” Plum
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/key-house-liberal-leani...
ards-no-on-health-reform/> Line, 3/3/10)

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL): Gutierrez, a member of the Congressional
Hispanic Caucus (CHC) in which he serves as chairman of its Immigration Task
Force, said the caucus still has concerns over the extent to which the
healthcare bill excludes illegal immigrants as well as legal residents from
receiving benefits in the healthcare plan. "They are enough to say I can't
support this bill," Gutierrez said during an appearance on MSNBC. (Michael
O’Brien, “Gutierrez: Health Bill's Immigration Parts Enough To Vote
Against,” The
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/86317-gutierrez-heal...
ls-immigration-parts-enough-to-vote-against> Hill, 3/11/10)

Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD): "I will not vote for the Senate bill
as is," she said. "I will not vote for a package of changes that would go
through the reconciliation process." (Kevin Woster, “Herseth Sandlin Says No
To Senate Health Bill, Reconciliation,” The
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_8a77cfd0-27be-11df-a123-...
c03286.html> Rapid City Journal, 3/4/10)

Rep. Tim Holden (D-PA): "I will not vote for the Senate bill," Holden said.
"It makes significant cuts to Medicare and Medicaid ... and the restrictions
on (federal funding for) abortion are not as strong." (Ben Wolfgang,
“Conservatives Urge Holden to Oppose Reform Bill; Holden Says He's Planning
To Vote 'No,'” Republican
http://republicanherald.com/news/conservatives-urge-holden-to-oppose-...
-bill-holden-says-he-s-planning-to-vote-no-1.670829> Herald, 3/11/10)

Rep. Steve Kagen (D-WI): "Let me put it this way: you're asking whether or
not I trust the United States Senate, where they came up with a deal for
Nebraska that the other states didn't get; where Louisiana would get a
special deal. No, I don't trust the U.S. Senate," said Rep. Steve Kagen
(D-8th District). "So I think I'd like to have a vote on something very
meaningful…I have made the case to the speaker and also to the White House
that we should take small pieces, small bites," Kagen said. "In the practice
of medicine, I can't give a child a big pill. What do we do? We cut it up
into pieces. Let's find things we can agree on." (Robert Hornacek,
“Congressmen Sound Off On Health Care,” WLUK-TV
http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/congressmen-sound-off-on-health-c...>
, 3/8/10)

Rep. Larry Kissell (D-NC): Indeed, Rep Larry Kissell of North Carolina, who
was rumored today to be mulling a switch from No to Yes, is not changing his
position, spokesperson Haven Kerchner confirms to me. (The
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/terrorism/happy-hour-roundup-175/> Plum
Line, 3/8/10)

Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD): “He would vote against it,” the spokesman, Kevin
Lawlor, says. Crucially, Kratovil would vote against the Senate bill even if
there’s some kind of verbal guarantee that it would be fixed via
reconciliation later, Lawlor says. (Greg Sargent, “Another House Dem A “No”
On Senate Bill; A Previous “Yes” Now Undecided,” Plum
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/another-house-dem-a-no-...
ate-bill-another-previous-yes-now-undecided/> Line, 3/4/10)

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH): "I told the president twice in two different
meetings that I couldn't support the bill if it didn't have a robust public
option" or significant consumer protections, he said on MSNBC… If the White
House is ready to go back and have a robust public option...Then we have
something to talk about. Otherwise, I need to hear more about what they're
proposing. And what they've proposed so far isn't anything different than I
voted against.” (Jordan Fabian, “Kucinich Indicates Willingness To Be
Deciding Vote Against Healthcare,” The
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/85659-kucinich-indic...
e-is-willing-to-be-deciding-vote-against-healthcare> Hill, 3/9/10)

Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL): Asked if the congressman is "open to voting for a
health care bill that lacks the Stupak amendment," Lipinski's spokesman
Nathaniel Zimmer replied in an email to The Weekly Standard: "No.
Congressman Lipinski will not vote for a health care bill that provides
federal funding for abortion." (John McCormack, “Illinois Democrat Lipinski
Will Switch
From Yes To No If Health Bill Lacks Stupak Amendment,” The
http://weeklystandard.com/blogs/illinois-democrat-lipinski-will-switc...
no-if-health-bill-lacks-stupak-amendment> Weekly Standard, 3/8/10)

Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL): “I would not accept a promise that legislation
will be acted upon in the future, because it’s unlikely that something will
get done,” said Daniel Lipinski, D-Ill., who said he was one of the “Stupak
Dozen.” “In my eyes, it would have to be done beforehand.” (Clea Benson and
Edward Epstein, “House Democrats Still in Search of Abortion Agreement on
Health Care Bill,” CQ http://www.cq.com/document/display.do?docid=3325278>
, 3/9/10)

Rep. Dan Maffei (D-NY): "I will trust the president, but I will not trust
the Senate," Maffei said. "The Senate bill, in my view, burns the village in
order to save it.” (Mark Weiner, “Central New York Congressmen Emerge As Key
Swing Votes on Final Health Care Bill,” The
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/central_new_york_congr...
_e.html> Post-Standard, 3/8/10)

Rep. Jim Marshall (D-GA): First up: Dem Rep Jim Marshall, a prominent Blue
Dog who voted No last time but was believed to be open to backing the Senate
bill, is now a definite No, his spokesperson confirms… “Marshall is a no,”
Marshall tells our reporter, Ryan Derousseau. (Greg Sargent, “Another House
Dem Confirms He’ll Vote No on Senate Bill,” The
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/another-house-dem-confi...
ll-vote-no-on-senate-bill/> Plum Line, 3/10/10)

Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-UT): "Health care reform is needed, but the bill
before us is too expensive, does not adequately address rising medical costs
and skyrocketing insurance premiums, and tries to do too much too soon. We
simply cannot afford to create a new federal bureaucracy that costs nearly
$1 trillion when our national debt is $12 trillion and there is no plan in
place to address it. I will not vote for it.” (Scott Saxton, “McIntyre Says
He'll Vote NO Again on Health Care Reform,” WECT
http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=12143848> , 3/15/10)

Rep. Michael McMahon (D-NY): "I haven't seen enough to have me come off my
'no' vote," said McMahon (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn), who voted last year
against a House version of health care reform. "I don't see anything that
would make me change my position." (Tom Wrobleski, “Despite Makeover, Staten
Island Rep. Michael McMahon Remains A 'No' On Health Care Plan,” SIlive.com
http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/despite_makeover_staten_...
.html> , 2/23/10)

Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA): McNerney criticized the current version of
healthcare reform passed by the U.S. Senate for the deals it makes with
certain states, its lack of a public option and the inadequate number of
people it extends coverage to. He said he would not vote in favor of that
version of the bill if it comes back to the House. (Michael Moore,
“Congressman Visits Morgan Hill,” The
http://www.morganhilltimes.com/news/263336-congressman-visits-morgan-...>
Morgan Hill Times, 2/18/10)

Rep. Walt Minnick (D-ID): Rep. Walt Minnick of Idaho will not change his
vote from no, spokesman Dean Ferguson said last night. Minnick had declined
to state a position when contacted earlier by the AP. (Charles Babington,
“White House Hopes 'No' Votes Turn To 'Yes',” The Associated
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/85934222.html> Press, 3/2/10)

Rep. Walt Minnick (D-ID): "If it is simply the Senate bill, I've looked at
that and decided I was opposed to it." …“This is not a process that I'm very
excited about. I'd much rather have a bill that had enough support,
bipartisan support, so you didn't have to go through the process," he said.
"I think that sentiment is rather widely shared." (Ryan Grim, “Minnick
Waiting For Final Step In Health Care Fight,” The
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/03/wavering-dem-open-again-t_n_...
.html> Huffington Post, 3/3/10)

Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN): Congressman Jim Oberstar of Minnesota has said
that he will not vote for the health care bill if it lacks the Stupak
amendment: "I will not vote for a health care bill that doesn't have the
House abortion language in it," Oberstar told Congressional Quarterly on
February 24. (John McCormack, “Illinois Democrat Lipinski Will Switch
From
Yes To No If Health Bill Lacks Stupak Amendment,” The
http://weeklystandard.com/blogs/illinois-democrat-lipinski-will-switc...
no-if-health-bill-lacks-stupak-amendment> Weekly Standard, 3/8/10)

Rep. Glenn Nye (D-VA): [I]f the bill that is put forth does not contain
significant changes and does not actually reduce health care costs for
Americans and small businesses, it will not have my support.

I believe it is absolutely imperative that any health care reform bill
reduces costs for families and small businesses, allows Americans to keep
their existing plan and choose their doctor, is bipartisan, is deficit
neutral, does not force Americans to use a certain type of health insurance,
maintains Medicare benefits for seniors, and lowers the overall costs of
health care. H.R. 3962 does not meet these criteria, which is why I do not
support it.

Additionally, we must fix our current system before we add more people into
it, which will only exacerbate any current problems.... (Jeffrey H.
Anderson, “Rep. Nye of Virginia Looks Like A "No,"” The Weekly
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/rep-nye-virginia-looks-no> Standard,
3/15/10)

Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA): "If the final bill is going to bring down
premiums for middle-class families and small businesses, then I'll support
it," said Rep. Tom Perriello, D-Va., a centrist who voted for the bill in
November but is now reserving judgment. "If it's not going to do that, then
I won't." (John Fritze, “Dems Have Trouble with Health Care Rifts,” USA
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-03-04-healthcare_N.htm>
Today, 3/5/10)

Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA): I just got off the phone with his office who told
me that he was still undecided and waiting on the final language. I reminded
them of the abortion promise, and the staffer told me unequivocally that if
the abortion language does not change he will oppose the bill. He also said
that if the middle-class taxes that are a part of the senate bill are not
changed, that would lead him to oppose the bill. (“Where Are Pelosi's
Flippers?” NRO
http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=OTExMTM1ZjM0NmRlYjYxOT...
NTUyNDliZTc4MmM=> , 3/15/10)

Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN): "No, I would not vote yes, and I don't think
they could pass it in the House," said Peterson, the only Minnesota Democrat
to vote against the House's health care reform bill…Should a compromise plan
not be possible, Peterson's not opposed to punting. "I do think there are
problems with the health care system that need to be fixed, but I'm not in
the camp that says we have to do something no matter what," he said. (Derek
Wallbank, “Now What? Minnesota's Delegation Has Many Views,” Minnpost.com
http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2010/01/21/15170/now_what_minnesotas_...
tion_has_many_views> , 1/21/10)

Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR): “He’s a no,” spokesman Brad Howard said by e-mail, in
response to an ongoing survey of all 38 House Democrats who voted against
health care legislation in the fall. (Jon Ward, “Arkansas Democrat Rep.
Mike Ross To Vote No On Obama Health Care Proposal,” The
http://dailycaller.com/2010/03/08/arksansas-democrat-rep-mike-ross-to...
no-on-obama-health-care-proposal/> Daily Caller, 3/8/10)

Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR): Ross, our only delegate seeking to stay in the House,
tells me he remains “no,” even though the public option is gone from the
Senate bill. He says the entire process has been “tainted” by political
misplays and that 75 percent of his constituents are opposed. The Democrats
have been “out-messaged” by the Republicans, Ross says. (Jim Brummett, “One
of Our Lame Ducks Balks,” Arkansas
http://arkansasnews.com/2010/03/06/one-of-our-lame-ducks-balks/> News,
3/6/10)

Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC) on Obama’s Health Care bill: “I was actually
surprised that they’re pushing it again. The most important thing is jobs,
jobs, jobs, jobs. We need to focus on jobs,” said Rep. Heath Shuler, North
Carolina Democrat and a leader of the 54-member Blue Dog coalition of
conservative Democrats. … “I don’t think a comprehensive bill can pass,” he
said. “I hate to use a football analogy,” said the former Washington
Redskins quarterback, “but first downs are a lot better than throwing the
bomb route or the Hail Mary.” (Jon Ward, “Democrats’ Attempts To Coordinate
Health-Care Message Leave Republicans Scratching Their Heads,” The
http://dailycaller.com/2010/02/23/democrats-attempts-to-coordinate-he...
are-message-leave-republicans-scratching-their-heads/> Daily Caller,
2/23/10)

Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO): Mr. Skelton says he does not see any improvements
in the measure that would cause him to vote in favor of it; like Mr.
Kratovil, he favors a smaller, less ambitious bill. “It would be a lot
easier,” he said, “if we cut this back to basics — take two or three or four
issues on which everyone agrees and build on it.” (Sheryl Gay Stolberg and
Robert Pear, “Wary Centrists Posing Challenge in Health Care Vote,” The New
York http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/us/politics/28health.html> Times,
2/27/10)

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI): Mr. Stupak said in an interview that even if the
abortion language were tightened, he still couldn't support the bill,
because it didn't include the House's tighter regulations on insurance
companies, and it retained a tax on high-value insurance plans, albeit a
watered-down one. "We're not going to walk the plank again just to see the
Senate shut us down," he said. (Greg Hitt, Laura Meckler and Janet Adamy,
“Democrats Chase Health Votes,” The
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870448650457509799132207...
tml?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_PoliticsNCampaign_2#printMode> Wall Street Journal,
3/3/10)

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI): I was pleased to see that President Obama’s health
care proposal did not include several of the sweetheart deals provided to
select states in the Senate bill. Unfortunately, the President's proposal
encompasses the Senate language allowing public funding of abortion. The
Senate language is a significant departure from current law and is
unacceptable. While the President has laid out a health care proposal that
brings us closer to resolving our differences, there is still work to be
done before Congress can pass comprehensive health care reform. (Ben Smith,
“Stupak: 'Unacceptable',” Politico
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0210/Stupak_Unacceptable.html?...
l> , 2/23/10)

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI): "Despite the abortion language, no, there are other
problems with this bill... [I have spoken to] probably about 15 or 20 of
them in the last 24 hours they've said there are other problems with this
bill." (Jordan Fabian, “Stupak: 15-20 Dems Withholding Support for White
House Health Plan,” The
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/83461-stupak-15-20-d...
thholding-support-for-white-house-health-plan> Hill, 2/24/10)

Rep. John Tanner (D-TN): Mr. Tanner has told colleagues he has no intention
of switching his vote, said one Democratic lawmaker who has spoken with him.
(Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Robert Pear, “Wary Centrists Posing Challenge in
Health Care Vote,” The New York
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/us/politics/28health.html> Times,
2/27/10)

Rep. Gene Taylor (D-MS): "I don't think the votes are there it barely passed
the house last time, and I don't think the votes are there to pass it this
time," said Taylor…"Two-thousand pages scares the dickens out of everybody,
and what's in those 2,000 pages," said Taylor. "That's why the call has been
for single item bills that are smaller and clear." (Kevin Wheeler, “Gene
Taylor Holds Town Hall Meeting,” WDAM.com
http://www.wdam.com/Global/story.asp?S=12065339> , 3/1/10)

Thanks again for holding Congress' feet to the fire.

Karin Hoffman and the DC Works For US crew