WABE: Georgia Lawmakers Split on Healthcare Reform Vote (2009-11-08)

Atlanta

Georgia Lawmakers Split on Healthcare Reform Vote

Jim Burress (2009-11-08)

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ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - In an empassioned speech on the House floor, 5th District Congressman John Lewis called on lawmakers to pass healthcare reform. He called a "Yes" vote a mandate:

"We have a moral obligation to lead this nation into a new era, where healthcare is a right and not a privilege. Now is the time. Be on the right side of history."

All seven of Georgia's GOP representatives, and two Democrats--Jim Marshall of Macon and John Barrow of Savannah--voted against the healthcare reform bill.

Savannah Republican Jack Kingston called the bill a "wreckingball to the entire economy."

Georgia's remaining four Democrats--Sanford Bishop of Albany, and Hank Johnson and David Scott of metro Atlanta--joined Lewis in voting in favor of the bill.

Jim Burress, WABE News.
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