We spent all day yesterday glued to our Blackberry and to C-SPAN. The House finally voted in favor of healthcare reform sometime around 11 p.m. Sunday – but not before some very ugly moments elapsed and some serious negotiation –using women’s health as the bargaining chip – took place.
On Saturday, protestors in Washington yelled hateful racial and homophobic slurs at several Congressmen, and in cyberspace plenty of hateful posts could be viewed in Twitter streams. Then late Sunday night, someone on the House floor yelled “baby killer” at Rep. Bart Stupak.
Stupak had been threatening to derail healthcare reform unless the final bill included his amendment containing some very restrictive abortion language. But the bill before the House contained the Nelson amendment, which also restricted access to abortion coverage. Even though pro-choice advocates said the Nelson amendment was a major blow to women’s reproductive rights, Stupak wouldn’t yield. After whisperings about closed door negotiations between Stupak and Pelosi, and Pelosi and pro-choice Democrats, a deal was struck. President Obama agreed to sign an Executive Order effectively supporting the Hyde amendment, which is already in place and prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions, and Stupak agreed to support the bill.
Meanwhile, closer to home, it looked as if we might be getting our first application for the job we just posted. Late Friday a group of supporters posted on Blue Mass Group and Facebook that Harmony Wu, a Needham, Mass. resident and Democratic activist, was considering a run for the 9th Congressional District if Rep. Steven Lynch voted against the healthcare bill. He was indeed a “no” vote.
Here is a statement from Ms. Wu issued this morning. “Late last night, members of Congress cast an historic vote to pass comprehensive health care reform. I know I share my excitement of its passage with millions of Americans across the country. My gratitude goes to all who worked tirelessly to earn this important victory; when we work together, and each do our part, we can make great things happen. As excited as I am about this historic step toward health care for all, I am extremely disappointed that my Congressperson voted against the health care reform bill, demonstrating that he is out of touch with our families’ most important concerns. With this betrayal of key Democratic principles and priorities, we in the 9th district must strongly question whether Mr. Lynch can effectively represent us and stand up for our values. In the coming days, I will be in discussion with my family, members of my community, activists, and voters from across the district as I consider challenging Mr. Lynch for the Democratic nomination for Congress from our 9th district.”
We don’t know enough about Harmony Wu yet to determine if she meets all of the qualifications outlined in our job description. But she is definitely one to watch.
