The US House of Representatives passed landmark health care reform legislation during the last hours of March 21. The bill, which promises to extend medical coverage to more than 30 million Americans is expected to be signed by President Barack Obama.
Speaking after the vote, he said, "For most Americans, this debate has never been about abstractions, the fight between right and left, Republican and Democrat. " In a televised statement, Obama added "It's always been about something far more personal. It's about every American who knows the shock of opening an envelope to see that their premiums just shot up again when times are already tough enough." The vote was crucial to the Congressional Democrats and Obama, who reportedly told Democrats earlier in the week that the very future of his presidency was contingent upon the vote. Republicans opposed the measure as too expensive and fear a greater role of government in health care.
It is the first major social reform in the United States since the 1965 Medicare bill for the elderly. Health care reform has been a goal of U.S. presidents going back decades. According to various polls, Americans opposed passage of the bill at a time when the popularity of Obama and government in general is waning. Protesters thronging outside the Capitol building shouted “Kill the bill!” and could be heard by Congressmen inside.
Pro-life Democrats in the House were led by Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan in opposition to the bill. Stupak had managed to shepherd some 12 pro-life Members through the legislative process in the face of strident denunciations from progressives and pro-abortion forces within their party. Last week, pro-life opposition to the bill suffered a mortal blow when Congressman Dale Kildee of Michigan – long a pro-life stalwart – threw his support to the bill. Stupak finally gave his support to the bill, apparently satisfied that a promise from Obama to issue an Executive Order concerning federal funding for abortions would satisfy pro-life concerns about the expansion of abortion. As evidence of the tenor of the contentious debate, an as yet unidentified person on the House floor apparently called out “Baby killer!” while Stupak was speaking. Congressman Kildee affirmed that he had heard the accusation, saying that the voice sounded “Southern” to him.
Republicans, who were joined by 34 Democrats in opposition, were quick to denounce the vote. Republican leader John Boehner gave an emotional plea to fellow Members to vote against the bill, while saying “Shame on us” in reference to the House Members for allegedly setting “arrogant” self-interests against the will of the majority of Americans.
Pro-life groups were equally dismissive of the bill and Obama’s promise of an Executive Order. Said Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, "The law of the land trumps any Executive Order, which can be reversed or altered at the stroke of a pen by this or any subsequent President without any congressional approval or notice. Moreover, while an Executive Order can direct members of the executive branch, it cannot direct the private sector.”
Moreover, said Perkins, "Because of Roe v. Wade, courts have interpreted the decision as a statutory mandate that the government must provide federal funding for elective abortion in through federal programs. In other words, no Executive Order or regulation can override a statutory mandate unless Congress passes a law that prohibits federal funding from being used in this manner. Legal experts at the US Catholic Conference of Bishops, National Right to Life Committee, Americans United for Life, and Family Research Council have confirmed this view that if the Senate bill is signed into law, it is a statutory mandate for the new health plans to include federal funding of elective abortion. The need for an Executive Order is evidence that this is true, and Congressional Democrats know it. Make no mistake, a 'yes' vote on the Democrats' health care bill is a vote for taxpayer-funded abortions."
Phyllis Schlafly, long a Republican and pro-life stalwart, denounced the bill as well, and said that the vote reveals the “myth” of pro-life Democrats. Day Gardner, President of the National Black Pro-life Union said in a statement “ President Obama is a staunch abortion supporter! He doesn't care about the 50 million children (including 17 million black babies) that have been butchered by abortionists since 1973. He is not going to give or "issue" anything of value. He will say whatever it takes to get this horrible bill passed including issuing an Executive Order to do so.”
Pro-lifers and conservatives were apparently galvanized by the vote and are looking ahead to the November 2010 election when all 435 members of the House of Representatives and half of the Senators are up for re-election. What remains to be seen is just what will be the influence of the Tea Party movement in the affray.
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