Senate Using Christmas To Divert Attention From Unpopular Bill

Press Release

Senate Using Christmas To Divert Attention From Unpopular Bill

With the Senate voting today to proceed with debate on its health care legislation -- slated for a final vote on Christmas Eve -- U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland slammed the hypocrisy of Senate leaders' backroom dealing.

"It's rare in U.S. history for either house of Congress to pass legislation the week of Christmas, but I'd imagine it's unprecedented to pass on Christmas Eve a bill that will implement a government takeover of 17 percent of our economy," Westmoreland said Monday. "Americans are out purchasing last-minute gifts, decorating, traveling, preparing holiday meals, going to church services and spending time wtih family. It's outrageous that their national leaders in the Senate are using Christmas celebrations as a diversion so they can sneak through a wildly unpopular bill.

"President Obama and his fellow Democrats promised an open, honest process with health care negotiations aired on C-SPAN. Instead, we've got backroom deals to buy votes. Georgia taxpayers are forced to fund special Medicaid deals for certain states whose senators' votes were bought with our money. President Obama promised a new way of doing business in Washington, but this sure looks like the old way of doing business. If the president was serious when he told us that he wasn't going to cater to the 'special interests' then he needs to veto this bill that would put the special interests of certain senators and certain states first. Otherwise, his words are simply hollow rhetoric. Without doubt or debate, this legislation treats Americans differently based on where they live; that's a 'special interest.'

"This bill raises taxes on middle-income families -- violating another Obama pledge to not raise taxes on Americans earning less than $250,000 a year. In fact, this legislation raises taxes on ALL Americans. It increases government's obligation in health care costs by $200 billion over 10 years. It also reinstates taxpayer funding of abortions, which offends the moral conscience of my constituents in Georgia's 3rd Congressional District.

"The Senate is often criticized for its slow pace, but in this instance, a vast majority of Americans would prefer that their senators return home immediately to enjoy Christmas with their families. President Obama should speed up their return home by issuing an immediate veto threat on this 'special interest' or just admit to the American public that this is 'politics as usual.' "

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