He was one of only three House Republican supporters of the package
Republican Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao got an unexpected moment of recognition Wednesday as President Barack Obama signed the Democratic-backed overhaul of financial regulations.
View full sizeRep. Anh 'Joseph' Cao, center, listens to President Barack Obama speak before the signing of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in Washington on Wednesday. At the bill-signing ceremony, Obama thanked the three Republican senators "who put partisanship aside, judged this bill on the merits and voted for reform."
When someone shouted "and Republican House members," the president diverted from his prepared remarks to add: "And the Republican House members."
Smiling broadly and looking at Cao, the president continued, "Good to see you, Joe." The mostly Democratic audience applauded loudly.
Cao, one of only three House Republican supporters of the financial overhaul package, said he was happy to show his support for legislation that he thinks will protect consumers and ensure there's no repeat of the financial crisis that cost so many people, "including many of my constituents, their life savings."
Cao, a freshman who is facing a difficult re-election bid in his heavily Democratic New Orleans-based district this fall, cast the only House Republican vote for the House version of Obama's health overhaul legislation. He later voted against the compromise measure negotiated by House and Senate leaders, saying it didn't do enough to ensure no federal health dollars would go to pay for abortions.
Bruce Alpert can be reached at balpert@timespicayune.com or 202.383.7861.