On the same day Republicans voted to take away access to affordable health care for middle class families, Representative Tom Marino voted against an effort to also repeal government subsidized health care plans for Members of Congress. Americans expect their Representatives to live by the rules that they write for everyone else but Representative Marino just voted to protect his government subsidized health care while planning to repeal the benefits of health insurance reform for hardworking middle class families. The motion would have required that repeal of health insurance reform would not take effect unless a majority of Members of the House and Senate waive their health care.
 
“In a stunning show of hypocrisy, Representative Tom Marino voted to protect government-subsidized health care for his family but not for the families of his constituents,” said Jesse Ferguson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Representative Tom Marino has become the latest Republican health care hypocrite to demand government-funded health care benefits for himself, while trying to repeal health care reform and make it harder for most Americans to afford coverage for their own families. On the same day he voted to repeal health insurance reform and put private insurance companies back in charge of our health care, Representative Tom Marino’s vote makes clear that he is the worst kind of hypocrite – one who looks out for themselves instead of their constituents.”
 
After campaigning against government run health care, several House Republicans affiliated with the Tea Party have announced they will not accept government health care as a Member of Congress.
 
Background
 
Representative Tom Marino opposed a measure that would require a majority of Members of the House of Representatives and Senate to waive their FEHB benefits before enactment of the repeal legislation would go into effect. [H.R. 2, #13, 1/19/11]
 
At least 14 House Republicans elected on opposition to government health care have publicly announced they will not seek the benefit for themselves. [DCCC Release, 1/19/11]
 
Polling shows American Public Opposes Health Care Hypocrisy. “Most Americans think incoming Congressmen who campaigned against the health care bill should put their money where their mouth is and decline government provided health care now that they’re in office.” [Public Policy Polling, 11/23/10]