US Congressmen burned the midnight oil Saturday night as a highlyanticipated vote on the House of Representatives health-care reformbill took place after 11 p.m.
With only five votes to spare, Democrats managed to pass a sweepinghealth-care reform bill — a margin aided, in part, by one LouisianaRepublican. The final vote was 220 in favor to 215 against.
Republican Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao, representing Louisiana’s 2ndCongressional district, was the lone Republican in the House to votefor the Democrats health bill.
The sticking point for Cao was the inclusion of an amendment tomaintain current law on federal funding for abortions — once anamendment was adopted, he decided voting for the bill was in hisconstituents’ best interests.
“I have always said that I would put aside partisan wrangling to dothe business of the people. My vote tonight was based on my priorityof doing what is best for my constituents,” said a statement releasedfrom Cao’s office after the late-night vote.
 
—-Contact Nate Monroe at [email protected]