March 22, 2010
 
Lucas: Rahall's Vote on Health Care Reform Irresponsible
 
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
 
Huntington, WV (HNN) - Republican candidate Conrad Lucas of West Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District questioned Rep. Nick Rahall’s Sunday afternoon shift in position regarding the House health care bill. Lucas called the change “irresponsible,” adding that “Congressman Rahall has once again failed his constituents.”
 
“His support of this bill is irresponsible, and will cause job losses and higher taxes for the people of the 3rd District. As West Virginians enjoyed Sunday afternoons with church and family, Rep. Rahall was busy cutting deals to join Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama in their push to enact government-run health care. In doing so, Rep. Rahall has again sided against his constituents.
 
“Our citizens and businesses cannot afford a single tax increase or job loss, and Mr. Rahall’s change in position will lead to just that. Further, our state cannot afford the overwhelming level of costs that will be passed on by the federal government. I plan to hold Rep. Rahall accountable for this and all poor decisions he makes that hurt the people of West Virginia," said Lucas.
 
The Congressional Budget Office, a non-partisan government agency used by both Republicans and Democrats for economic and budgetary information and analysis, has projected the cost of the health care bill to be approximately $948 billion.
 
Rep. Rahall’s shift of position followed President Obama’s issuance of an executive order regarding the bill’s inclusion of an item that would provide tax-payer funding for abortions.
 
“Executive orders are the weakest forms of policy. Obviously Mr. Rahall’s time in Washington hasn’t taught him that statutory laws are much stronger than executive orders, which can be easily trumped," added Lucas.
 
Lucas is seeking the nomination for the 3rd Congressional District in May 11’s Republican primary. In addition to being an attorney and adjunct professor, he is also a former aide to Rep. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia’s 2nd District who spoke against the bill from the House floor on Sunday evening. Lucas holds a master’s degree from Harvard, a law degree from Tulane and an undergraduate from Vanderbilt, where he is also set to receive a doctorate.