Health care protesters back in force

WASHINGTON — One day after protesters hurled epithets at black and gay congressmen, impassioned protesters returned to the Capitol yesterday to tell Congress to “kill the bill.’’

Protesters swarmed the Capitol, shouting down Democratic congressmen and cheering Republicans as Congress neared passage of the health bill.

Republicans came out to address the crowds directly, talking about tyranny and repeals — and one gave out antiabortion Democrat Bart Stupak’s office phone number. Stupak, who had been holding out on backing the bill, confirmed his support yesterday afternoon.

Newton Democrat Barney Frank chose to walk from his office building to the Capitol, where he was greeted by a chorus of boos and “kill the bill’’ chants.

Frank, who was called an antigay epithet Saturday outside his office, said upon reaching the Capitol, “They’re more polite today.’’

But when Frank joined Democratic leadership for a walk across the Capitol grounds at midday, he was called the same epithet from the previous day, according to reports.

Capitol Police arrested two Massachusetts men yesterday, William Gunn and David Sanders, on suspicion of disrupting Congress after police said the men yelled out in the House gallery.

As ushers tried to escort them out of the gallery, several Republicans stood up on the House floor and cheered.

No other arrests were made around the Capitol, said Sergeant Kimberly Schneider, a Capitol Police spokeswoman.

On “Meet the Press’’ yesterday morning, House minority leader John Boehner of Ohio condemned the racial taunting, calling it reprehensible.

Police had to deal with two protests yesterday, as a planned immigration protest on the Mall coincided with the health debate.

But the two sides seemed to cautiously avoid each other, and police said there were no major incidents besides the arrests.

After Stupak agreed to vote for the bill in the afternoon, about a half-dozen Republican Congressmen stood on a terrace above the crowd and said they would challenge the bill in court and repeal it after the midterms.

“We’re not going to repeal part of the bill, we’re going to repeal the whole thing,’’ said Steve King, an Iowa Republican, citing Senator Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts as evidence Americans do not want the health reform bill.

Michele Bachmann, a Republican representative from Minnesota who has had ties with the Tea Party movement, lauded the crowd.

“You’re standing against tyranny, that’s what you’re doing,’’ Bachmann said.

Pete Hoekstra, a Michigan Republican, said Stupak’s support “makes it really hard to beat’’ the bill.

But Hoekstra read out the phone number to Stupak’s office for the crowd of protesters below.

“Call now,’’ Hoekstra said, “because he wants to hear from you.’’

JEREMY HERB

“No memorial oration or eulogy could more eloquently honor his memory than the earliest possible passage of this bill for which he fought so long,’’ Patrick Kennedy said from the House lectern, speaking at length about his father, Edward M. Kennedy, who had called health care overhaul “the cause of my life.’’

Patrick Kennedy will retire from the House this fall, after serving Rhode Island for 16 years.

Some friends and colleagues have suggested that the death of his father in August was a key factor in his decision to leave the House.

Ted Kennedy was a guiding light to many Democratic lawmakers; he radiated most for Patrick, they say.

The younger Kennedy is now looking for a new way to serve, but yesterday’s votes offered him a coda to his career and an opportunity to reflect on his father.

“His heart and his soul are in this bill,’’ Patrick Kennedy said.

GLOBE STAFF