In a rare, late-night weekend session, the House of Representatives passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act, 220-215. One Louisiana Republican, Rep. Joseph Cao, cast the only GOP vote in favor of the bill. Texas Democrat Chet Edwards of Waco voted with the Republicans.

 

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The Republican from the 2nd district detailed his opinion about government-run health care in a floor speech before the final vote.

"This simple shot program administered by the government is a mess and has its priorities wrong," Poe said. "Why? Because the government is in charge. The government decides who gets flu shots and who doesn't. Patients don't decide; doctors don't decide. This is what a universal government-run and government-rationed health care program looks like. Welcome to the future. And get to the end of the line. And that's just the way it is."

After the bill's harrow passage, Poe issued a statement:
"I VOTED NO!! This legislation will cost taxpayers over a trillion dollars, raise taxes, create 111 new federal bureaucracies and lead to a government takeover of our healthcare system. I stood with the American people today and voted AGAINST another government takeover," he said in the statement.

"Rest assured tonight, this is far from over," Poe said.

 

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Rep. Michael McCaul spoke against the bill on the floor Saturday, citing its length--thousands of pages--and the short time--three days--between the bill's introduction and the vote.

"We all agree that health care reform is urgently needed, but this bill destroys the American health care system as opposed to improving it," McCaul said before the vote.

 

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Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison stayed up late to watch the vote, and released a statement after its passage. She vowed to prevent passage of a similar bill in the Senate.

"We need to work to improve access to healthcare, but we must do so in a way that does not hijack our healthcare system," she said in a statement. "What the Democrats have passed tonight--a government takeover of our health care and the tax increases that go along with it--is a disappointing substitute for real reform. I will do everything in my power to prevent this bill, and anything remotely similar to it, from passing the Senate.}

 

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Rep. Charlie Gonzalez voiced his support for the Democrats' push for health care reform early, and issued a statement after the vote Saturday night.

"I voted today for a bill that will help 153,000 citizens of the 20th District to finally get health insurance," he said. "For the 300,000 of my constituents who get their health care coverage through work, I voted to free them from unjustifiable rate increases and to insure that neither the government nor their employer nor their insurance company can force them to have to change their health care plan. I voted today to cut $500 out of the Medicare prescription donut hole and to ensure the long-term viability of Medicare, including Medicare Advantage. And for our country, my vote went to reduce the deficit by $104 billion.

"With today's vote, we have moved one step closer to helping Americans afford health care, helping our government save money, and strengthening our economy," he said.

 

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Rep. Jeb Hensarling, Republican from the 5th district, voted against the bill. In a floor speech before the final vote, he expressed his misgivings about the bill's cost.

"You cannot improve the health care of a nation by bankrupting its children," Hensarling said.

Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas

Rep. Charlie Gonzalez (D-San Antonio)

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Dallas

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin

Rep. Ted Poe, R-Humble