Feb 11, 2010
Today a resolution asserting the US
constitution 10th amendment and amending the
Wyoming Constitution directly aimed at health
reform and Wyoming opting out of any national
health reform initiative was killed on a
party-line vote. Rep. Debbie Hammons stood and
spoke against the resolution saying that it is
not a reasonable approach to amend the Wyoming
constitution to completely “deal us out.” She
stated, “I believe in my country and the
ability of the citizens to listen and reason
with judgment.” Minority Floor Leader Patrick
Goggles also stood in opposition saying the
house is a creative body and this resolution is
premature as no national reform plan has been
enacted.
The house Democrats don’t always have the
unity that we are seeing this session, but with
their 19 votes in opposition the Republicans
were unable to muster the 40 votes needed for
introduction. This directly echoes some of the
sentiments that members of the caucus expressed
yesterday during a weekly meeting. Rep.
Thompson encouraged the members to realize
their power and said that their unity is their
strength as a bargaining chip. Minority Whip
Throne stressed the same point. Clearly that
philosophy has worked and hopefully they can
keep it up.
