Rep. Tom Perriello broke with Democratic Party leadership Thursday and voted against a procedure known as “deem-and-pass” that could be used when the health care bill comes to the floor of the House of Representatives.
Perriello was among 28 Democrats who voted against “deem-and-pass,” a parliamentary method that could shield congress members from voting directly for or against the bill.
The House Democratic majority approved the deem-and-pass measure, however, on a 222-203 vote. The approval means the method can be used for the health-care bill.
Perriello spokeswoman Jessica Barba said people shouldn’t read too much into his vote.
“This was a procedural vote that simply means he does not approve of the use of ‘deem and pass,’” Barba said in an e-mail.
No one should conclude which way Perriello will vote on the actual legislation, she said.
“Not everything is a tea leaf to be read!” Barba said.
One other Virginia Democrat in Congress, Rep. Glenn Nye of Virginia Beach, also voted against “deem-and-pass,” which also was being called the “Slaughter rule” because it was proposed by Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y.
The Republican Party of Virginia issued its own statement about the vote.
“I’m heartened by Congressmen Tom Perriello and Glenn Nye’s decision to reject this unconstitutional end-run,” wrote Pat Mullins, chairman of Virginia Republicans.
“By bucking their party today, they’ve made it abundantly clear that they will reject Obamacare if it comes to the floor wrapped in this parliamentary play-acting,” Mullins said.
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