Health-bill foes protest at Richmond offices of Warner, Webb

RICHMOND, Va. -- Both of Virginia's U.S. senators say they will vote to allow debate on the Senate version of health-care overhaul legislation, but neither has committed to voting for the actual bill.

Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., got an earful on the subject from a group of small-business owners in Carytown yesterday while protesters rallied outside Warner and Sen. Jim Webb's Richmond offices.

About 100 people, at both locations combined, said they oppose proposed health-care reform, a version of which recently passed the House of Representatives by a narrow margin. The Senate's version is facing an important test vote today with a must-pass procedural measure allowing the debate to proceed.

The full Senate will have a chance to amend the bill once it's on the floor.

In the meeting with Warner organized by the Virginia Retail Federation, John D. Whitlock, chairman of The Whitlock Group, urged Warner to vote against moving the bill forward, not to mention the legislation itself.

Warner, who said he wants to see more cost containment in the Senate's legislation before he can support it, responded that he hasn't committed to vote for the bill. "If it doesn't improve, chances are I'm not going to vote for it," he said.

But he added that he's spent 20 years working on health care, including in his role as a governor and now senator. He stressed the costs of inaction.

"You guys hired me. At the end of the day, if I don't perform, don't rehire me. You'll have that chance to make the judgment," Warner said. "I think the choice of doing nothing is a financial disaster."

"If it doesn't get to the point where it crosses the threshold that I can look you in the eye and say 'I think this is better than the status quo,' then I won't vote for it," he added.

The protesters were not in a mood to rehire Warner, or Webb, D-Va.

"We're here to let them know they will be fired," said Robert Mackay of Mechanicsville. "I was a communist when I was much younger and it doesn't work."

Richmond policemen stood outside the two offices to make sure nothing got out of hand. Warner's office is in the SunTrust Building, 919 E. Main St.; Webb is at 507 E. Franklin St.

Neither senator was present, although Warner was in Richmond earlier in the day for the meeting in Carytown.

Three protesters were admitted to Warner's office on the sixth floor, but the staff later sent someone down to Main Street to find out what their positions are. Webb's staff met with groups of the people in his tiny, storefront office.

The protesters waved anti-health-care signs and American flags.

Bill Baker of Chester carried a suitcase. "Vote No on Health Care Reform or Pack Your Bags," his sign read.

The protest was organized by Tertium Quid and Richmond Liberty Alliance.

Some of the people also objected to another hot button issue to be decided by Congress -- proposed cap-and-trade legislation. The legislation, pushed by President Barack Obama, is designed to curb the emission of greenhouse gasses from fossil fuels, such as gas and coal.

Webb broke with the administration this week by endorsing an alternative energy plan that would encourage more nuclear power and clean, carbon-free energy programs, such as clean-coal technology. He joined with Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee in proposing the "Clean Energy Act of 2009."

Spokeswoman Jessica Smith said Webb has not totally abandoned cap and trade, but is "uncomfortable" with the bill.

Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6812 or .

Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or .