"At this moment, we either move towards solutions or point fingers while our health care system, our federal treasury, and our middle-class families go bankrupt," wrote Fifth District Congressman Tom Perriello last Friday. And, leading up to Sunday night’s passage of health-care reform legislation, there was time for a few final jabs of the index finger or thumbs’ up (along with the occasional protest).
Perriello, a freshman Democratic congressman up for reelection this year, voted last week against "deem-and-pass"—a measure that would’ve avoided a direct House vote, favored by many Democrats but eventually shot down. While Perriello’s opposition to "deem-and-pass" raised a few eyebrows, he ultimately cast his support along with the bulk of the House Democrats—save for the 34 who voted against. The health-care legislation ultimately passed with 219 votes in favor, and 212 votes—including every House Republican—against.
"This legislation will reduce our federal deficit by $1.2 trillion, and for a family of four making $60,000 a year, they can expect to see their costs lowered by $1,000-$2,000 every year under this legislation, and probably more over time," wrote Perriello on his website. "That is real money back in the pockets of working families at a critical time." The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli will file a lawsuit against the federal government on the grounds that the legislation violates the commerce clause and is therefore unconstitutional.
