The US House, well the Liberal House, of Representatives voted late Saturday night on the health control bill. It passed with 2 votes to spare. Phil Kerpen, AFP Director of Policy, said this:

The Democrats have an 80 vote majority in the House of Representatives, a still popular (though faltering) president, and total control of the House floor because of the restrictive rules of the body. House passage was supposed to be automatic, and it was originally supposed to happen in June. With an 80 vote majority, they could only manage to pass this disastrous bill by 5 measly votes, 220-215.

The majority of the Missouri delegation (Akin, Skelton, Graves, Blunt, Emerson and Luetkemeyer) voted for their constituents and the good of the nation and voted no on government controlled health care. The most notable "NO" vote was Congressman Ike Skelton.

During the August recess, Congressman Skelton had refused to hold townhall meetings on health care or any other issue. We received so many calls about the lack of a townhall that we held a No Townhall Townhall at the Congressman's Jefferson City office. We recorded statements from constituents and delivered these statements to Congressman Skelton's Washington office.

Congressman Skelton received many calls, letters and e-mails from his constituents in opposition to the government take-over of our health care system. His "No" vote and subsequent comments make it clear that his constituents had an impact.

Congressman Skelton is Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, a position appointed by the Speaker of the House. The Speaker has the ability to remove the Congressman from this position yet he voted "No" in opposition to her bill. Some would say that he was "cut loose" or given permission to vote "No". Whether that is true or not, he still voted the way the majority of his constituents were asking him to vote.

Regardless of the reason, Congressman Skelton should be acknowledged for his responsiveness to his constituents. His constituents need to continue their contact with him to insure he knows they appreciate his vote and they continue to monitor the situation.