[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 24, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  AMERICAN HEARTLAND CALLING OUT FOR OPEN DEBATE ON HEALTH CARE REFORM

  (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, this past weekend this Member held 
listening sessions in Lincoln, Fremont, Norfolk, and Beatrice, NE, the 
largest cities in the First Congressional District. These Americans 
from the heartland of our country are very interested and concerned 
about health care reform legislation now pending in the Congress. They 
shared their concerns with me in great detail and with strong emphasis. 
The more than 8,000 people who responded to the questionnaire I 
circulated last March rejected the Clinton health care plan by 61.6 
percent to 13.8 percent, 24.6 percent undecided.
  Most importantly, the 540,000 Nebraskans I represent expect and 
demand that this Member of Congress, like the other 434 elected 
Representatives, will have a role in debating and voting upon the 
elements and detailed alternatives to the health care reform proposal 
that eventually reaches the House floor. They will be watching with 
intense interest to see if democracy is really allowed to work here on 
the floor of the House of Representatives or whether partisan 
considerations will once again drive the Democrat leadership to shut 
off a range of legitimate amendments and ram the health care 
legislation through the House. The public wants all Members of Congress 
to have an opportunity to work their will on the committees' product 
and then they want to be able to hold each Member responsible for their 
votes.
  Madam Speaker, no closed or semi-closed rules, no backroom deals 
among the congressional barons or majority leadership, and no partisan 
freezeouts. This issue is too important to all Americans. Let democracy 
work in the U.S. House too.

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