Congressmen receiving threats in the wake of health care vote

WEST MICHIGAN (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – The health care overhaul is now law, but that's not stopping some angry voters from lashing out.

One West Michigan man, furious that Congressman Mark Schauer voted in favor of reform let him know through a nasty phone message. He told Schauer that he hoped he died a slow death at a young age.

Newschannel 3 tracked that caller down and he did apologize to the congressman, and said he didn't mean to threaten him.

On Friday, Newschannel 3 spoke with Rep. Schauer on Friday. Schauer said he would much rather focus on the good of the health care bill than the negativity surrounding it, but he and his staff are being forced to deal with both.

Rep. Schauer says that since health care reform passed through the House, Washington D.C. Has been spit in two, as those celebrating clash with those protesting.

“It was a very tense mood and a very tense atmosphere,” said Rep. Schauer. “I saw African-American members that were called names that we can't repeat on this program.”

At Rep. Schauer's office in Jackson, the scene has been equally tense at times, with negative phone calls and emails coming in from those unhappy with his vote for reform. Rep. Schauer says some of the animosity directed at him is the result of organized attacks.

“The person that got some press attention due to the call to my office was incited by a television ad paid for by the health insurance industry,” said Schauer.

Rep. Schauer says his main concern is for the well-being of his staff, and that he and other members of his party are taking nothing for granted.

“What I was told by the Capitol Police in Washington was take every threatening call or letter seriously, and that's what we do,” said Schauer.

Rep. Schauer says it is now time to move past the negativity and focus on what health care reform will do to help everyone in the country.

Rep. Schauer is certianly not the only Congressman receiving negative reaction from the health care vote. Rep. Bart Stupak keeps getting threatening calls as well, but at the wrong number.

Rep. Stupak's old number now belongs to a Traverse City couple who say they're now getting a taste of what the congressman is going through.

“I think I read where Representative Stupak said he was getting calls in the middle of the night, and it was bothersome,” said Steve, who has Stupak's old number. “I also got a few calls like that. You know at some point you have to take the phone off the hook so you can sleep.”