Pocono News Section

Death Threats, Property Damage for Some Health Reform Backers

Death Threats, Property Damage for Some Health Reform Backers - Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 04:09AM EST

Reported by: Eyewitness News
Thursday March 25 2010
WASHINGTON, D. C. - T he FBI is investigating cases of vandalism and threats against backers of the new health care reform law.

Opponents of health care reform are turning their anger into action targeting democrats like Bart Stupak For his yes vote, the Michigan congressman got President Obama to reinforce the federal ban on abortion funding. Now, Stupak gets death threats and profanity laced voicemails like the one that says, "Congressman Stupak, you babykilling mother bleep. You turncoat son of a bleep."

Vandals shattered windows at the offices of New York's Louise Slaughter and Arizona's Gabrielle Giffords. The FBI and capitol police met with lawmakers. Top democrats acknowledged some are getting extra protection. "I don't have a number for you, but a significant number, meaning over 10," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD).

Virginia Republican Eric Cantor called the threats reprehensible. But democrats say g-o-p critics of reform leading weekend rallies are fueling rage. Sarah Palin, for one, twittered don't retreat. reload

"They have condoned putting Hitler mustaches on pictures of President Obama," said Rep Anthony Weiner (D-NY) while Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA said, "Just stand up and say this is wrong and we do not want you to do it, and we repudiate it." President Obama heads to Iowa, Thursday, looking to win over skeptics of reform as senate backers wrap up debate over fixes to the new law.

Republican senators succeeded Wednesday night in getting a couple of student loan provisions stripped from the measure. That means the whole thing goes back for a house vote, something democrats were trying to avoid.