Dozens of people wearing "FreedomWorks Override the Veto!" t-shirts and stickers descended on legislative offices this morning to try to convince conservative House Democrats to side with Republicans to override Gov. Bev Perdue's veto of the health care bill.
Perdue last week vetoed a House measure that would authorize state legal challenges to the federal health care law. House Republicans don't appear to have enough votes to overide, as conservative Democrats have said they will stick together to sustain Perdue's veto.
A group visited Democrat Reps. Dewey Hill of Whiteville and William Brisson of Dublin this morning, arguing that the law they call "Obamacare" is unconstitutional and too expensive.
"We are the conscience of North Carolina," said Bobby Pittman of Wilson, who wore an orange Tea Party shirt. "We can't afford the health care bill."
Hill said Democrats wanted a chance to offer ideas "and were completely shut out," while Brisson said he had to consider all sides. Brisson, one of two Democrats who voted for the Republican bill, said he's getting email from across the state.
The override is on the House calendar for a vote today.
One man wearing a Moccasin Creek Minutemen shirt who would not give his name told Brisson that the issue was one of state's rights.
"I'm scared to death about my country," he said. "This is our state. We've got to get back to state's rights."
