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Meet the Lone GOP Rep to Vote for House Bill

La. freshman Cao cites district's health woes, abortion concession

By Jen Paton,  Newser User

Posted Nov 8, 2009 9:47 AM CST

(Newser) – House Democrats are wryly proclaiming their health care bill a bipartisan victory—and thanks goes to Ahn "Joseph" Cao, the New Orleans freshman who was the lone Republican to support the bill, reports the New York Times in a look at the man behind the vote. The new abortion restrictions and the needs of his district were paramount, he noted: “Tonight, I voted to keep taxpayer dollars from funding abortion and to deliver access to affordable health care to the people of Louisiana."

Cao, the first Vietnamese American in Congress and replacement for William Jefferson (he of the cash-stuffed freezer), decided to support the bill after speaking to President Obama about Louisiana's primary health care concerns, notably disparities in federal reimbursements for Medicare. While the House Republican minority has largely kept a united front, Cao earlier this year broke ranks to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program. Cao's choice may have political implications: His district is consistently seen as one of those most likely to ''go Democrat'' next year.

Republican Anh 'Joseph' Cao holds his daughter Betsy Cao, 4, with his wife Kate Hieu Hoang, right, at his victory party for the 4th Congressional District in New Orleans Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008.
Republican Anh 'Joseph' Cao holds his daughter Betsy Cao, 4, with his wife Kate Hieu Hoang, right, at his victory party for the 4th Congressional District in New Orleans Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Anh 'Joseph' Cao smiles during an interview at a victory party in New Orleans. His family fled the fall of Saigon in 1975, and he is the first Vietnamese American in Congress.
Anh 'Joseph' Cao smiles during an interview at a victory party in New Orleans. His family fled the fall of Saigon in 1975, and he is the first Vietnamese American in Congress.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 34 comments
lindamae
Nov 10, 2009 8:22 AM CST
Shannonals: Chuc mong nam moi! I've worked with adults who have spent 2 years in a reeducation camp because they were caught trying to escape. The Vietnamese came here for freedom - the right to choose their life's path. They did not come here to have their right to choose what health care plan they want taken away by their government. That's why they left Communist Vietnam. You are correct that their stories are like those of many other cultures. What they share, however, is the fact they came to America for its freedom. The health care bill takes that freedom away from us. We will be told what plan we need to have. Read the bill.
Shannonals
Nov 9, 2009 11:27 AM CST
You know nothing of Vietnamese values lindamae, so cease the preaching, you sound ignorant on your soapbox. Fr the record, what you posted could have been sent of anyone coming to this country, and you demean the sacrifice of these individuals with your ognorant spewing.
Shannonals
Nov 9, 2009 11:23 AM CST
you very comments disgust me dontlikeyou. Exactly what people did Cao vote against, because it wasn't the people in his ward. Cao votes for the people is his ward, not the party itself, which is what all politicians should be doing.

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