The award for outstanding Catholic legislator of 2009 is a
shared award and a bipartisan one, something that is
increasingly uncommon in Washington these days: Rep. Anh Joseph
Cao of Louisiana and Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan. Both stood up
to the leadership of their respective parties to cast votes that
conform to Catholic social teaching.  Cao was the only
Republican to vote for the health care reform bill in the House
of Representatives. He did so only after pro-life provisions
were included to bar federal funding of abortion in the health
care reform effort. In explaining his vote, and his entire
approach to issues, Cao cited his Jesuit education and the
Church’s commitment to health care for all people. His vote was
not likely to help his career: Cao represents an overwhelmingly
Democratic district and he only won last time because his
opponent had been indicted. Nor did the vote endear him to his
fellow Republicans who otherwise had mounted a united front in
opposition to any health care reform worthy o