The last Valley representative who was undecided on whether to support a national health care bill has announced that he favors it and will cast a "yes" vote when it reaches the House floor.
U.S. Rep. John Boccieri (D-16th) announced that he will support the Senate version of the health care bill and reconciliation bill during a Friday morning press conference in Washington, D.C. He cited his constituent, Natoma Canfield, the cancer-stricken woman who has become a centerpiece of President Barack Obama's push for health care reform, as the reason for his decision.
Boccieri, flanked by constituents who have experienced serious health issues, said his own mother suffered from breast cancer when he was a child. He said he didn't know what would have happened to her or his family if they did not have health care.
"Mom survived breast cancer, but I remember her always saying to me, 'Don't tell me what you believe in, show me what you've done and I'll tell you what you believe in,'" Boccieri said. "I want my mom to know that I'm standing up today, and I'm doing what I believe in."
Boccieri's vote was highly sought after by supporters as he was one of a few House Democrats who had not declared their vote on the bill.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson (D-6th) also announced Friday that he will vote for the Senate health reform bill and the reconciliation bill.
In a prepared statement, Wilson said that after he analyzed the Congressional Budget Office's score for H.R. 4872, he believes that the bill will lead to a reduction of $138 billion in the federal deficit over a 10-year period. Wilson, a pro-life Democrat, said he is confident that the language in the Senate ensures that there will be no federal funding for abortions.
"This bill is not perfect, but it is a strong step forward," Wilson said. "I have seen the CBO score and the reconciliation changes for myself. This bill will not add a dime to the deficit. I am confident that the Senate bill will be amended by the reconciliation language and that special deals for certain states, like Nebraska, have been taken out, that affordability for middle class families has been improved and that the harmful excise tax on high cost health plans has been adjusted. For these reasons and for the benefits that this bill will bring to my constituents, I will support the Senate bill with the announced reconciliation changes."
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-17th) has already pledged his support for the bill. U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-14th) is the only Valley congressman who does not support the bill.
Senator George Voinovich during a tour of the Youngstown Business Incubator Friday argued the nation simply can't afford another expensive entitlement program. He called it "an unrealistic piece of legislation."
And while the frantic vote counting continues, the president remains in campaign mode, telling an audience in Virginia Friday morning that "in just a few days, a century-long struggle will culminate in an historic vote."
Late Friday afternoon, Youngstown Bishop George Murry put out his own statement on the health care debate. He said the bill now being discussed doesn't go far enough either in protecting life or honoring the consciences of those who are opposed to abortion.
While he urged Ryan, Wilson and Boccieri to all vote "no," he also encouraged voters to keep pressing their own representatives to oppose this bill.
Congress is currently expected to vote on Sunday after the full text of the bill has been available for 72 hours.
