WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier tonight, Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) made the following remarks on the House floor ahead of a final vote on Speaker Pelosi’s health care plan, which is set for a full government takeover of the nation’s health care system:
Remarks as prepared:
“Madame Speaker, Abraham Lincoln once said ‘You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by encouraging class hatred. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man’s initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.’
I rise today in strong opposition to Speaker Pelosi’s 2032-page health care bill. At a time the highest unemployment since 1983, the American people can’t afford these massive new spending increases, and I refuse to pass on this great burden to my children and grandchildren.
I offered 2 amendments to try to improve this bill. One to require Members of Congress to enroll in the ‘public option’ and one to guarantee illegal immigrants will not receive new benefits under this bill. Both of these common-sense provisions were voted down by Rules committee Democrats. In fact, Democrats voted down every single Amendment offered by Republicans. How is that bipartisanship?
This legislation will increase taxes, kill jobs, and cost over $1 trillion in money we don’t have. The Republican plan will cut costs through tort reform, negotiating across state lines, and group purchasing power. Support the Republican alternative and oppose the Pelosi plan. This bill is an absolute disaster.”
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