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Thousands gathered Thursday at the U.S. Capitol to protest the House health care reform bill, set to go to a vote this weekend. (Photos and editing by Diane Rusignola | Audio by Markham Heid)
Story by Markham Heid
WASHINGTON — Baseball’s World Series ended late Wednesday night, but America’s next great competition swung into boisterous action Thursday as thousands swarmed the steps of the Capitol building in opposition to the House health care bill.
Minnesota Republican Michele Bachmann called for the “Health Care House Call” late last week, and the event drew roughly 7,000 people according to early police estimates.
“Speaker Pelosi is poised with her health care bill to take over 18 percent of the American economy,” Bachmann said as chants of “kill the bill” broke out among the crowd.
“The Republicans don’t have the votes to kill this bill,” she responded, “but what we knew was unlimited was the voice of persuasion of the American people.”
Bachmann was joined by many of her fellow GOP House members, as well as actor and health care reform opponent Jon Voight, and conservative radio host Mark Levin.
Referring to the health reform legislation as “Pelosi Care,” House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said, “This bill is the greatest threat to freedom that I have seen in the 19 years that I’ve been here in Washington.”
Boehner said the legislation would lead to a government takeover of the health care system, and would limit a person’s ability to choose a doctor and purchase a choice of health insurance plans.
Shortly after Boehner pumped up the crowd, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., pledged to align GOP representatives in opposition to the legislation.
“I have reached out to every Republican member in this House,” Cantor said. “We are committed to making sure that not one Republican will vote for this [health care] bill.”
Chad Dupill, a former Marine and a current small business owner from Pennsylvania, was among the thousands who made the trip to the Capitol.
“We’re all here to stop this health care bill,” Dupill said, as those around him cheered in agreement. “We’re not against health care reform, but we’re against any form of public health care, any form of government run health care.”
The House health care bill may be voted on as early as this weekend.