Top House Democrats on Tuesday pledged to pass a health care reform bill "soon," regardless of the outcome of a Senate special election in Massachusetts that threatened to reverberate on Capitol Hill.

But with Republican Scott Brown's win in Massachusetts, they're down one vote in the Senate and could be down another vote in the House. Rep. Ahn "Joseph" Cao of Louisiana, the only Republican to vote for the bill in November, won't support it again if the House's strict abortion restrictions are not preserved, his spokeswoman said Tuesday.

"He would rather see some form of health reform done than not done," said spokeswoman Princella Smith, "but he's just not budging on the life issue"...

Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao acknowledged Wednesday that becoming the lone House Republican to vote in favor of health-care reform was a rookie move that could end his upstart political career.

"I am a novice," said Mr. Cao, Louisiana Republican, who was elected in December 2008. "But I have to do what my conscience tells me to do."

Mr. Cao repeatedly has said since last weekend that he supported the legislation only after he received the blessing of Catholic bishops and assurance from the White House that the bill limited federal funding for abortions, and because residents across his state -- particularly those in Orleans and Jefferson parishes -- either have no access to health care or cannot afford the cost...

NEW ORLEANS — The only Republican in the House to vote for a Democrat-backed health care bill says he has had two fundraisers canceled since Saturday's vote and some campaign contributors have asked for their money back.

But Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao said Tuesday he stands by the vote. "At the end of the day we all have to represent our respective districts," he told The Associated Press.

Cao rejected any notion that he might leave the Republican Party. And House minority whip Eric Cantor of Virginia said he plans no political retaliation against Cao...