News and Press Releases :: June 24, 2009

Terry: Stop Playing Partisan Games at the Expense of the American Public

WASHINGTON- Energy and Commerce member Congressman Lee Terry (R-NE) made the following statement after attending a full Energy and Commerce Committee hearing today on Speaker Pelosi’s plan to have government-run healthcare:
 
“Today, my colleagues and I heard expert testimony on one of the most significant and expensive pieces of legislation in years, healthcare reform,” said Congressman Terry.  “I was appalled at the childish, bitter partisan games that were demonstrated today.  Republicans were not allowed opening statements and we were told if we wanted answers to questions we needed to put them in writing.  HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius left before the hearing was even over and Committee Chairman Frank Pallone refused to answer questions about the cost of this complicated legislation.”
 
 “This is one of the most important debates we will have in Congress on behalf of Nebraskans—a major reform of our health care system.  But it was very clear today that the goal of this hearing was to shut out all Republican input and ram this legislation through Congress with no discussion.  Republicans share many similar goals with Democrats on how to improve healthcare, but to cut us out completely is not healthy for democracy, and is just flat out wrong.  The American public should be ashamed of the actions of some of their representatives today and should demand their voices be heard.”
 
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