Representative Threatened Over Healthcare Reform Vote

Representative Threatened Over Healthcare Reform Vote

Although the issue of healthcare reform has resulted in heated debate, many believed that tempers had cooled over the past several months after the bill became law. This does not seem to be the case.

Rep. Bart Stupak was one of the most controversial figures. As a conservative "Blue Dog" Democrat, Stupak had concerns about the legislation. His biggest worry was regarding abortion: the pro-life politician wanted to avoid any type of federal funding for the procedure.

Due to the loss of their filibuster proof majority several months earlier, Democrats were unable to negotiate and coincide the House of Representatives version of the bill (which was more strict on abortion coverage, and which Stupak supported) with the more lenient Senate version. However, Stupak was appeased by the promise of a concurrently written executive order, in which President Barack Obama specifically stated that the Hyde Amendment (which forbids any federal funding for abortion) remained intact. Eventually, the compromise convinced Stupak to vote for the final bill.

Many people, both nationwide and in his Michigan district, were dismayed by his choice. Some pro-life activists think the bill does not go far enough in preventing the funding of abortion through health insurance plan subsidies in the exchanges it creates. Liberals, meanwhile, are unhappy with his influence in making the bill less friendly to reproductive rights. Largely due to this criticism, Stupak is retiring and will not run for re-election this November.

One man took his anger over Stupak's vote to the extreme and made a death threat. Russell Hetch is now facing a $250,000 fine and five years in jail for sending a threatening letter to Stupak's office.

Among other things, Hetch suggests that Stupak should follow the lead of his late son, who had committed suicide a decade ago. He also referenced the TV show Dexter--which is about a serial killer--and expressed his liking for it. If Stupak failed to resign, he said, his and his family's blood would "paint the Mackinaw bridge". Hetch's son, David, was also arrested for conspiracy for his involvement in mailing the letter.

While some in the Tea Party may agree with his sentiment that Stupak--and all congresspersons who voted in favor of healthcare reform--"defecated on the Constitution", this man is by no means representative of their movement. There have been some scattered reports of death threats against Democrats after the March vote, but none have thankfully come to fruition.

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