The Obama/Pelosi government takeover of health care passed the U.S. House on Saturday evening, 220 to 215. Arkansas’ congressmen were split on the vote, with Reps. Mike Ross and John Boozman voting “nay” and Reps. Vic Snyder and Marion Berry voting “yea.”

Citing fiscal irresponsibility as the main reason for his vote, Congressman Ross elaborated by saying: “I have spent the past few months traveling our Congressional district and listening to you, the people who sent me to be their voice at our nation’s capital. You overwhelmingly told me that you were opposed to the original 1,000 page House health care reform bill and its $1 trillion price tag. Now, the new House health care reform bill is over 2,000 pages and cost over $1.2 trillion. Washington may not have heard you, but I heard you loud and clear, and that’s why I voted against creating this massive new government spending program that we simply can not afford. While I strongly support efforts to reform our health care system, we can accomplish this without creating a new government-run health insurance program and without spending $1.2 trillion.”

You can read Rep. Ross’ entire statement by clicking here.

Congressman Boozman highlighted several reasons for his vote and offered solutions for positive health care reform: “I am for health care reform, unfortunately, this bill does more harm than good. The American people deserve health care reform that gives them access to quality and affordable health care and allows them to make decisions that are best for the care they need. Instead of increasing taxes, entitlement programs and red tape to reform health care we need to let families and businesses buy health insurance across state lines; allow small businesses to pool together to buy health insurance at lower prices and end lawsuits that contribute to escalating costs because of doctors being forced to practice defensive medicine.”

Congressman Snyder’s office did not release a press release concerning his “yea” vote, but he did say in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Sunday: “This vote today is another step towards helping Americans as individuals and small businesses keep and obtain the secure, affordable, good quality health insurance we all deserve from a market-based insurance system. But there is still much work to do as the legislative process continues.”

Why vote for a bill that you admit still needs work? I would also like Rep. Snyder to explain himself in light of a statement he made back in August at a town hall meeting of 1,000 people in Little Rock. He said, “I’ve never been a big fan of this public option” (Politico). Oh, what a difference three months makes!

Congressman Berry’s office did release a statement, using basically the same argument that Rep. Snyder did: “I vote for this bill today to move the process forward, not to endorse its entire content. This bill is not perfect; however, it represents significant progress in achieving more affordable and better quality health care. This legislation represents compromise among a wide variety of voices from vastly different regions of the country. It prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage to Americans with pre-existing conditions, prohibits federal funding for abortion, and bars illegal immigrants from receiving federal benefits under the bill.”

You can read Rep. Berry’s entire statement by clicking here.

It seems Rep. Berry is trying to have it both ways; he wants to be counted as voting with his party, but he also wants to go on the record as being a voice for conservative values. Unfortunately for Berry, the bill is still bad, despite prohibiting federal funding for abortion. According to Rep. Henry Waxman, Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, there is “no guarantee” that the pro-life measure will survive once the entire process is over (CNS News). Rep. Berry even admits that the bill is “not perfect” and he doesn’t agree with “its entire content,” and yet he still voted for it. Let’s get something clear: A vote is an endorsement.

More information as it comes.