Oklahoma's congressional delegation voted against the healthcare bill that passed the House late Sunday. The controversial measure passed with 219 votes, three more than the 216 needed for passage. A last-minute compromise that swung a half-dozen anti-abortion Democrats behind President Barack Obama's health care bill, virtually ensuring its passage, failed to placate outside activists on either side of the issue, and drew derision from Republicans. Pro-abortion groups and pro-life groups alike assailed the compromise. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., leader of the anti-abortion bloc, said he was satisfied with an executive order issued by Obama affirming prohibitions in current law and in the health legislation against taxpayer money going to abortions. But critics said the law is the law and a presidential executive order is just a piece of paper that can be changed at any time. Congressman Dan Boren, the state's lone Democrat, questioned the timing of the legislation's tax provisions along with what he described as Medicare cuts and job-killing mandates on small businesses.
"Today I emphatically cast my vote against President Obama's health care plan," he said. "How could anyone think that these are the right steps during a time of record unemployment and recession?" Boren also cited the opposition the legislation has generated among his constituents. "During my career in public service, I have never seen a single issue galvanize my district's voters more than this health care reform proposal," he said. "From my first town hall in August of 2009, which drew audiences exceeding 1,000, to the constant phone calls, letters, faxes, and e-mails to my Washington and Oklahoma offices, the desire for me to oppose this health care proposal has been very clear."