Posted on 11/08/2009 5:16:04 AM PST by listenhillary
Louisiana Republican Congressman Cao releases statement after voting in favor of Democratic health care reform bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- Louisiana Congressman Anh "Joseph" Cao on Sunday morning released a statement after he voted as the only Republican in favor of the Democratic health care reform bill.
The health care reform bill, dubbed the "Affordable Health Care for America Act" (H.R. 3962), passed the U.S. House of Representatives in a 220 - 215 vote.
"Tonight, I voted to keep taxpayer dollars from funding abortion and to deliver access to affordable health care to the people of Louisiana," Cao said in a statement released by his office. "I read the versions of the House [health reform] bill. I listened to the countless stories of Orleans and Jefferson Parish citizens whose health care costs are exploding – if they are able to obtain health care at all. Louisianans needs real options for primary care, for mental health care, and for expanded health care for seniors and children."
Cao wrote he obtained commitment from President Obama that he would work together to address the health care issues of Louisiana, including the FMAP crisis and community disaster loan forgiveness, as well as issues related to Charity and Methodist Hospitals. "I call on all my constituents to support me as I work with him on these issues."
Cao said: "I have always said that I would put aside partisan wrangling to do the business of the people. My vote tonight was based on my priority of doing what is best for my constituents." His yes vote received a lot of criticism from Republicans.
The Democratic health care reform bill also includes the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, which will keep in place current federal law on abortion funding and conscience protections for health care providers.
Cao said: "Before the Stupak-Pitts amendment was adopted as part of this health reform bill, the bill failed to explicitly include the longstanding policy prohibiting federal funding of elective abortion and plans which include elective abortion. Thank[s] to the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, taxpayer dollars will not go to supporting elective abortions, and for thousands of my constituents, this was a top priority. By incorporating this amendment into the health reform bill, my colleagues and I made this bill better, and that is an achievement of which I will always be proud."
Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, the archbishop of New Orleans, said he was grateful for Cao's vote. "I am grateful to Congressman Cao for his courage and determination to defend life. I appreciate his work to prevent abortion from being included in health care reform and for protecting conscience rights of health care professionals," he said. "I – and, I am sure, many in New Orleans would join me – [I] appreciate Congressman Cao's commitment to the people of New Orleans."
Something tells me he better be brushing up his resume.
He was a abboration anyway, imo. Cao took the William Jefferson district which pretty much is a set aside so I doubt he’d hold it even if he switched parties and declared being a democrat which it appears he is.
Next year’s present lineup:
CD 2
Current: Republican Congressman Anh “Joseph” Cao
• First elected: 2008
Running for second district
• Seat up for election: Tuesday 2 November 2010
Democratic: state Senator Cheryl Artise Gray Evans
Democratic: state Representative Juan Anthony LaFonta
...• FEC H0LA02168: Financial report not available
Democratic: state Representative Cedric L. Richmond
... • FEC H8LA02054: $125,145
Republican: Congressman Anh “Joseph” Cao
... • FEC H8LA02112: $911,166
The Republican Party needs to put up another Republican candidate.
I must apologize for what some would consider profanity in my other post.
As a veteran, I have been both Outraged and Sad .. and have not been able to sleep since this crap took place last night.
Three years in Nam, fighting for the freedom of the South Vietnamese and here we have one voting for Communism in MY country! CAO my A$$
No, dude, you just did your business ON the people.
The Catholic Church is pro-life? Who would have thought that.
Question: How can you tell if Obama is lying to you?
Answer: His Teleprompter is moving.
I know I'll get flamed here, but a few years ago when REPUBLICANS were ignoring their constituents (ANWR, gun votes) and voting with the Dems, we were screaming about the Constitution and how congresspeople had an obligation to represent their districts' wishes. While you always have a requirement to enforce the Constitution, if you think you're not violating the Constitution and you think you're representing your constituents, then you are doing exactly what people years ago said the Republicans had an obligation to do.
He was bought in a big way.
Anh "Joseph" Quang Cao (Vietnamese: Cao Quang Ánh, with Cao pronounced /ˈɡaʊ/ "gow" in English; born March 13, 1967) is a New Orleans lawyer and the current U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 2nd congressional district. He is a member of the Republican Party. On December 6, 2008, Cao defeated nine-term Democratic U.S. Representative William Jefferson with 49.6 percent of the vote to Jefferson's 46.8 percent.
Cao is the first Vietnamese American, as well as the first native of Vietnam, to serve in Congress, and the first Republican to serve in his district since 1890; his district usually votes overwhelmingly Democratic. Cao is the poorest member of Louisiana's delegation (including the state's two senators) in Congress: as of 2009 his assets were no greater than $195,000 and his potential liabilities mounting to $215,000.
Cao previously ran unsuccessfully as an independent for District 103 of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He was a delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention. At the time of his election to Congress, Cao was a member of the Orleans Parish Board of Election Supervisors.
A devout Roman Catholic, Cao served as a board member for Mary Queen of Vietnam Catholic Church's Community Development Corporation which assists Vietnamese-Americans with hurricane relief, and is a member of the National Advisory Council of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
No new taxes, not one dime more, for people making less than $250k. Bipartasinship. No Lobbyists, blah-blah-blah...
Pick you lies, and you still believe Obama; man you are one stupid gullible $hithead!
Has anyone interviewed this guy and asked why he thinks that this bill will provide health services to his constituents?
Is there someone here who could help me get an interview to ask this question?
There are several pointed questions I’d like to ask him. I’m sure the readers of my paper would like to know and so would many on this forum.
Please let me know.
No new taxes, not one dime more, for people making less than $250k. Bipartasinship. No Lobbyists, blah-blah-blah...
Pick you lies, and you still believe Obama; man you are one stupid gullible $hithead!
Hey Congressman Cao, I have a question for you to answer.
Just what did speaker pig lousy promise you to get your vote?
HHHHHHHHHHHHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!
Hey Caio....You are an IDIOT!!!
Leni
Winning by 2.8%, and less than 50% against someone who's a convicted felon does not make for job security. Who knows what went on in the smoke-filled rooms. A party switch might well be in the cards here.
Most politicians would be feckless and craven in their explanation
This is true.
He’s a republican representing a very democrat district...he changed his vote when it was obvious that this monstrosity would pass...probably with the blessing of party leadership. Had his vote been a deciding fator, they probablywouldn’t have released him to vote yes.
This kind of stuff happens all the time...
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