One Republican votes for healthcare bill


Los Angeles Times 
By Steve Padilla
Anh 'Joseph' Cao of Louisiana was elected last year to replace Rep. William J. Jefferson, who faced corruption charges.


Anh "Joseph" Cao, a Vietnamese-born former ethics teacher and Catholic seminarian, last winter surprised and delighted Republicans by defeating a longtime incumbent in a heavily Democratic congressional district in Louisiana.

He provided another surprise -- but probably no delight -- to his party on Saturday when he became the lone Republican to vote for the healthcare bill pushed by President Obama.

"I have always said that I would put aside partisan wrangling to do the business of the people," Cao said in a statement posted on his website. "My vote tonight was based on my priority of doing what is best for my constituents."

In a special election in December, Cao of New Orleans defeated Rep. William J. Jefferson, who had represented the 2nd District since 1991. Although Jefferson was battling corruption charges -- federal agents famously found $90,000 in cash in his freezer -- Cao still faced an uphill battle.

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