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Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act

Floor Speech

Date: Jan. 19, 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care

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Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. I appreciate the gentleman's yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2, a bill that would repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The Affordable Care Act, signed into law in March of 2010, is an important first step in reforming our health insurance system, a system that everyone knows is broken. The Affordable Care Act provides access to the insurance market for millions of Americans, puts in place important consumer protections, and reduces our country's deficit.

This new Congress was elected promising a transparent process with input from all Members. This repeal bill, however, has not even been considered by a single committee in the House. Members are also being shut out of the process.

I cosponsored four amendments submitted to the Rules Committee; none were accepted.

I cosponsored an amendment to ensure that women continue to receive the protections provided by the Affordable Care Act. The Republicans did not allow this amendment to come up to the floor.

I cosponsored an amendment to ensure that all seniors will continue to receive the increased benefits in Medicare and that the doughnut hole will continue to be closed. The Republicans did not allow this amendment to come up for a vote.

I cosponsored an amendment to ensure that small businesses continue to receive the tax cuts provided for in the Affordable Care Act. The Republicans didn't allow this amendment to come up for a vote.

I cosponsored an amendment to ensure that we are responsible stewards of our Federal budget and to prevent this repeal bill from adding to the deficit. The Republicans did not allow the amendment to come up for a vote.

This new Congress ran on a campaign of lower taxes on small businesses and reducing the Federal budget deficit. This bill, however, would raise taxes on small businesses and individuals and add a trillion dollars to the deficit.

Just to be clear, a vote for this bill will be a vote for higher taxes and increases in the deficit. Although there is an effort to bring this repeal bill to the floor today, what is being proposed in place of affordable care? Nothing.

My office has dealt with this for years. Please, vote ``no'' on this bill.

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