Healthcare vote postponed due to shooting: Cantor

U.S. Representative Eric Cantor (R-VA) delivers remarks during the 2010 meeting of the Wall Street Journal CEO Council in Washington, November 16, 2010. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

U.S. Representative Eric Cantor (R-VA) delivers remarks during the 2010 meeting of the Wall Street Journal CEO Council in Washington, November 16, 2010.

Credit: Reuters/Jonathan Ernst

WASHINGTON | Sun Jan 9, 2011 5:29am EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House of Representatives will postpone next week's vote to repeal President Barack Obama's healthcare reform legislation due to the shooting of Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords, House Republican Leader Eric Cantor said on Saturday.

"All legislation currently scheduled to be considered by the House of Representatives next week is being postponed so that we can take whatever actions may be necessary in light of today's tragedy," Cantor said in a prepared statement.

Giffords had received threats for her support of the healthcare reform bill and her office in Tucson was vandalized after the measure passed Congress last March.

Repeal of the law is a priority of Republicans who won control of the House in November elections, and it is expected to pass the House easily when the vote takes place.

The effort is not expected to advance in the Democratic-controlled Senate, however.

Cantor said he would release a revised House schedule on Sunday.

"It is horrifying that she was exposed to such violence at an event designed to reach the people she represents," Cantor said.

(Reporting by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Philip Barbara)
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Comments (14)
RColorado wrote:
While this shooting was tragic, the world did not stop spinning because of this. The congress woman always showed up for work, to
represent her caucus, why don’t you… Just another excuse…. RC

Jan 08, 2011 8:54pm EST  --  Report as abuse
Munsee wrote:
I agree. The shooting was tragic, but it’s time to take care of business and time to repeal the job-killing Health Care law.

Wars don’t stop when someone in the military is shot! It is time for Congress to take care of business!

We have a couple of years of Hope and Change that we need to correct, and now is the time to get started!

Jan 08, 2011 9:14pm EST  --  Report as abuse
Robert76 wrote:
All you people that want the Health Care Reform Bill overturned – Just what do you propose to do if you could over turn it…….watch as this country becomes uninsured and people die due to no medical attention.

While this bill is not perfect, it is a beginning towards fixing a problem that everyone seems content to ignore (Until they themselves become affected).

Jan 08, 2011 9:46pm EST  --  Report as abuse
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