Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona has tried to hold a moderate stance in a district that leans Republican and needs to campaign tough this fall to keep her seat blue. Well, like Tom Perriello of Virginia, she does not let fears of re-election difficulties prevent her from doing the right thing. She does indeed support the impending health care reform. But we can't stop there.
More below the fold.
From her website:
March 12, 2010
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today released the following statement on health insurance reform to the people of Arizona’s 8th Congressional District.
As Congress nears a final vote on health insurance reform, let me be completely clear about where I stand: I strongly and enthusiastically support reform.
After hearing from thousands of my constituents on this topic over the past year, I am convinced that something must be done to hold insurance companies accountable, give Southern Arizonans greater health care choices and bring down medical costs.
I have been vocal about my concerns with the current legislation, which would have a significant effect on Arizona. My home state has been generous in offering health insurance to low income children and the working poor. Under the legislation passed by the Senate, Arizona would be punished by not receiving our share of matching funds from the federal government. Soon after the Senate bill was passed, I contacted the President and congressional leaders to explain that Arizona cannot afford the unintended burden on our already decimated state budget.
I am very optimistic that this issue, and others, will be resolved when we see the text of the final legislation, perhaps as soon as next week. When and if these problems are addressed, I will publicly commit to vote for this historic health insurance reform legislation.
I will now list the undecideds and leaning "no"'s. If any of them represent you, give them a call, visit, email, petition, or lobby them! They will be far more receptive to contacts that come from within their district. For instance, Rep. Maffei (D-NY), has reported that last week that he received ~500 calls, and only 20 were from within his district. Remember all politics is local.
Rep. John Adler (D-NJ)
Rep. Mike Acruri (D-NY) - key
Rep. Marion Berry (D-AR)
Rep. Chris Carney (D-PA)
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) - key
Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL)
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) - key
Rep. Mike McMahon (D-NY)
Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS)
Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO)
Rep. Harry Teague (D-NM)
Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) - key
Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) - key
Rep. Melissa Bean (D-IL)
Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV)
Rep. Mike Capuano (D-MA)
Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA)
Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN)
Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA)
Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA)
Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN)
Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL) - key
Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) - key
Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN)
Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO)
Rep. Scott Murphy (D-NY)
Rep. Glenn Nye (D-VA)
Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND)
Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR)
Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)
Rep. Bill Owens (D-NY)
Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV)
Rep. Zack Space (D-OH)
Even if your congresscritter is not on the above list, I still recommend you call your own. This bill must be passed this week.
UPDATE x1: Slinkerwink posted a link to the gettable fence-sitters with their respective congressional phone numbers.