House Democrats Face Violent Threats After Health Care Vote

March 24, 2010— -- At least 10 House Democrats who voted Sunday for health care overhaul have received violent threats to their lives or property, party leaders said today.

Several members have faced death threats and harassing phone calls while others have experienced vandalism at district offices or their private homes.

In one case, a gas line was cut outside the Virginia home of Rep. Tom Perriello's brother after a conservative activist posted the address online, mistakenly thinking it was the congressman's house. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating.

"All threats and incidents directed against members of Congress are taken seriously and are being investigated …to identify and bring to justice those responsible," said FBI spokesman Paul Bresson.

This behavior "undermines our democracy and undermines the safety of individuals," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said following a closed-door briefing by law enforcement officials this afternoon.

"Any member who feels themself at risk is getting attention from the proper authorities," Hoyer said. Normally only members of party leadership have enhanced security.

Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, denounced the threats and acts of violence, saying it's "not the American way."

"I know many Americans are angry over this health care bill, and that Washington Democrats just aren't listening. But, as I've said, violence and threats are unacceptable," he said in a statement.

Still, Hoyer and other party leaders have been increasingly critical of what they see as dangerous rhetoric by Republicans and tea party activists.

Hoyer today obliquely referenced the online campaign by the Republican National Committee to "Fire Pelosi" and an e-mail from Sarah Palin's PAC that depicted targets/crosshairs over the congressional districts of some Democrats who voted for the health care bill.

"When people start talking in the rhetoric of putting people on firing lines, that if they don't do something, they will have physical harm done to them, that other rhetoric of that type, or they put a target on their faces with crosshairs, that activity ought to be unacceptable in our democracy," he said.