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Health Care Debate Expected To Test Bipartisan Spirit

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After the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, local lawmakers are calling for a new level of civility in political discourse, which will be tested on the House floor this week.

When members of Congress return to Washington this week, one of their first orders of business is voting on whether to repeal the new health care law. When the bill was initially debated, Republicans said it included so called "death panels" and Democrats accused the GOP of putting insurance companies ahead of sick people. Northern Virginia Democratic Congressman Gerry Connolly says this time around lawmakers need to shy away from demonizing opponents.

"Well I think all of us in public life have an obligation to tone it down. To be aware of the impact rhetoric can make, especially on people who are emotionally or mentally on the edge," Connolly says.

The health care vote that experts say is sure to strain the new-found bi-partisanship is expected on Wednesday.

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