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SI Rep Called "Judas" For Vote Against Health Care Reform
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 2, 2010
Modified Apr 2, 2010
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By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 2, 2010
Modified Apr 2, 2010
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At a rally outside City Hall yesterday, where participants including union leaders and lawmakers praised the passage of health care reform, it was apparently also time to slam the lone NYC Congressional member who voted against it, Rep. Michael McMahon (D-Staten Island). Communications Workers of America Vice President Chris Shelton said, "We're here today to thank the 12 people in the congressional delegation in New York City who had the guts to stand up and do the right thing for the people, and the one from Staten Island - that Judas in Staten Island - who decided that the people didn't matter that he was going to do what he was going to do," adding, "We won’t forget."
Since his vote, McMahon has lost support from unions as well as some fellow Democrats. Rep. Charles Rangel, who was at the rally, pointed out that Judas was eventually forgiven by Jesus and said, "There is still a lot of work that has to be done in Staten Island, and we have to make certain it is done. So don't give up."
McMahon's spokesperson issued a critical statement, "Congressman McMahon was deeply disappointed by the terms used today by Mr. Shelton, especially during this Holy Week," noting that McMahon's constituents were happy with his vote. However, when asked by the Observer what McMahon could do to fix things, Shelton said, "I don't know what he could do to change what he did to the working people of New York City and the United States."
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health care reform
judas
Michael McMahon
Rep. Michael McMahon
staten island
union
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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