The death of Rep. Jack Murtha, D-Pa., not only leaves the House with (to not speak ill of the departed) one fewer interesting character. It also removes another “yes” vote from the House health care bill, which passed by a 220-215 margin.
Considering the resignations of Florida Rep. Robert Wexler (already happened) and Hawaii Rep. Neal Abercrombie (any day now), Murtha’s death means that only 217 House members who supported the original bill remain in Congress.
Moreover, Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., vows to oppose any comprehensive bill that weakens the prohibition against abortion funding. And Rep. Joseph Cao, R-La., the sole GOP supporter of the bill, has suggested he may vote “no” next time.
The odds are getting longer that any major changes can sneak through Congress this year.
