With the Senate’s vote on the new healthcare reform bill now in the history books, both sides are getting ready for the final fight as the House and Senate sit down and work out the details between the two chamber’s bills.
What follows is a statement released by the Saxby Chambliss’ office just moments ago.
Chambliss: This Bill is a Political Victory, Not a Substantive One
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today made the following statement regarding the Senate health care bill, which now costs $2.5 trillion, is 2,733 pages long, and includes $518.5 billion in tax increases and $470.7 billion in Medicare cuts.
“I am supportive of reforming health care so that all Americans have access to affordable, quality care. However, a bill created by backroom deal-making, partisan arm-twisting and special carve-outs for wavering senators does not represent meaningful reform.
“The already-strained budgets of individuals, families and small businesses will be pushed to the breaking point by the increase in taxes and increased costs for medical devices and medicine. The health care industry itself will also feel more than $100 billion in taxes and fees, which will be shifted directly to the American people in the form of higher premiums.
“Over the past few weeks, several amendments were offered to strip the Medicare cuts and cuts to other critical health care programs, but unfortunately, those votes fell along party lines and the amendments failed. Several other amendments to improve the bill, like a tort reform measure I introduced, weren’t even allowed to be called up for a vote.
“The process used to get this bill to 60 votes was unlike anything I had never seen before. Deals were cut behind closed doors for individual senators and their states at the expense of taxpayers across the nation – and that’s just not right. The majority leader also made a compromise on abortion – where, morally, there can be no compromise – to get his 60th vote.
“And after all this, the health care bill does not even cover everyone. Some 23 million Americans will still be left uninsured.
“Americans are right to demand access to affordable health care. But the Senate bill is bad legislation. It is a political victory – not a substantive one – that will actually make health care more expensive.”
Saxby, the one and only reason, and the biggest reason that government healthcare shouldn’t pass, is that you and all politicians are exempt. That alone should block it. Period!!
Politicians don’t care to read and know the bill because they are exempt. If not exempt, you would know every detail. And would work so it becomes one that a majority of the PEOPLE would vote for.
Government healthcare is a massive and abnormal undertaking. To stop it, Republicans need to do something abnormal. They haven’t, and won’t.
Endlessly talking about the negative and voting “nay” is fake fighting, considering how grossly wrong this bill has been brought forth and it’s content. IT’S UNAMERICAN! When it passes, Republicans will say they did all they could. Not so. Letting it pass as it is, truly is UNAMERICAN.
OK Danny, since you are very empassioned about your position, one that I share actually, could you please tell me what exactly you expect Republicans to do besides vote “nay”? Remember that the Dems have the votes to quash a filibuster, so that tool is right out of the arsenal.
So what “abnormal” acts do you have in mind?