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Coburn to Miss Votes Because of Mother’s Death

By John Stanton
Posted December 11, 2009 at 2:41pm

Anita Joy Coburn-Harrell, the mother of Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), passed away Thursday in Muskogee, Okla., at the age of 89.

The death of Coburn’s mother means that Republicans will be without one of their leaders in the health care fight during this weekend’s session. Coburn, who has been one of the leading critics of earmarks and federal spending, will also miss votes this weekend on the omnibus appropriations bill.

Funeral services for Coburn’s mother are planned for Monday in Muskogee.

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