Joseph Cao: Health Care's LONE Republican Supporter Is Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao

One Republican lawmaker out of 177 crossed party lines to support the health care reform legislation offered by Democrats.

Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao, the Louisiana Republican who hails from a decidedly Democratic New Orleans district, voted yea on the final passage of legislation. He joined 219 Democrats to make the final margin 220 to 215 in favor of reform's passage.

Cao was a major (and possibly the lone) target for Democrats hoping to get even a semblance of bipartisan support for the bill. He said after the vote that he had obtained a "commitment from President Obama that he and I will work together to address the critical health care issues of Louisiana."

In the past, Cao has been touted by House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) as "the future" of the GOP. Republicans clearly went the distance to keep him in the fold for the health care vote. House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.), who promised protesters at a Tea Party rally this week that "not one Republican will vote for this bill," was standing beside Cao as the historic vote unfolded.

Here's video of the moment the bill passed:

After the vote, Cao put out a long statement explaining his vote and emphasizing the fact that he also voted in favor of a key anti-abortion amendment, presumably to try to stave off the heavy incoming attacks from conservative activists.

Of his vote, Cao said: "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: "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 said: "Today, I obtained a commitment from President Obama that he and I will work together to address the critical health care issues of Louisiana including the FMAP crisis and community disaster loan forgiveness, as well as issues related to Charity and Methodist Hospitals. And, I call on 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.

Comments

[BettyMcDonalds]

Cao is cool as a cucumber.

[Akat1973]

I am so proud of Rep Cao,he used his concious,he thought of the people. Bravo indeed!

[crzy]

Write, Call or Fax Cao to say thanks now!

Washington Office
2113 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]


New Orleans Office
4640 So. Carrollton Ave. Suite 120
New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

[kittyarmy]

Bravo, Mr. Cao!

[Nancy84]

I really hope the people he represents understand what a brave move that was. I don't watch fox but I can imagine.........

[indy100]

"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." WOW. Imagine if all of our politicans would do the same..............

[taddles]

Thank you Rep. Cao for having some real convictions and some compassion for the people you represent.

[Elbrando]

I wonder how long it will take for Rep. Cao to get a primary challenger. Let's start a pool.

[j.gold]

I am from Cao's district and he has made me happy today!

[crzy]

Good for you! You should call or write to say thanks.

Washington Office
2113 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

New Orleans Office
4640 So. Carrollton Ave. Suite 120
New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

[Okieborn]

Representitive Cao seems to be the only person around that truly has a conscious !!!

[LordByron13]

"Of his vote, Cao said: "Tonight, I voted to keep taxpayer dollars from funding abortion and to deliver access to affordable health care to the people of Louisiana."

I guess congratulations are in order; but speaking as a Christian, who is not devout, but considers himself a believer, I wonder, why is abortion being excluded...is it not a medical procedure? Is it not something that should be handled by a medical professional?

Shouldn't the push to stem/stop abortions come from improved sex education(not sexual education) so people aren't needlessly having children? I mean, being spontaneous is great; and I don't mean to suggest we must plan our families down to the nano-second...

...but this continuous drive to keep your kids less educated, and more specifically less educated about their own bodies, has got to stop.

Where is the logic in continuing this pattern? You want to save lives, but oops, no can do on abortion? And people wonder why I don't go to church anymore...

[indy100]

LordByron you're entirely too logical and make too much sense to attend church. Unfortunate isn't it. As a former Mormon and now non-believ­er/Buddhis­t I have to wonder if believing in religious myths and fairy tales just pushes people over the edge.

[power1]

It's called CYA.

[Mikecoatl]

It's called representing the people, not an unglued lunatic fringe.

[TheTruePatriot]

His lone vote was to support his largely democratic district just as any good politician should do. Despite what his conscience told him, he followed the voice of his constituents in order to try and save his butt in future elections. He didn't vote in favor of the bill until there were enough "yea" votes for it to pass and only after the Anti-Abortion Stupak-Pitts Amendment was included. In other words his vote wasn't even necessary for bill approval. Only time will tell if the liberals in Louisiana will re-elect the Republican Congressman Anh “Joseph” Cao. This vote made absolutely no difference so settle down my liberal friends and see what this vote really means.

[jsijason]

Cao has balls that clank. The Repubs are going to turn on him like rabid dogs.

[taddles]

They are already turning on themselves like rabid dogs, nothing new there.

[claudiam]

Good for CAO. He may be thinking about his next re-election BUT he thought about his people and did what was right for their well being. Louisiana is in dire straights right now. I second the Bravo! claudiatucsonaz

[CJHAN]

Good job Mr Cao.