[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 18, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H13074]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
                  NETWORKS IGNORE PRESIDENT'S REVERSAL

  (Mr. SMITH of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, during the Presidential campaign, 
then-Senator Obama made a ``firm pledge'' that he would not raise taxes 
on any family ``making less than $250,000 a year.'' President Obama 
reversed himself on that pledge by supporting a health care bill that 
imposes, ``new taxes on people who don't buy qualified health 
insurance, including those making (much) less than $250,000 a year,'' 
according to the Associated Press.
  Not a single network news report mentioned the President's flip-flop 
in the days following his reversal, according to an analysis by the 
Business and Media Institute, and BMI found that less than one-third of 
the health care stories on the three networks even mentioned the $550 
million in new taxes in the health care bill.
  The national media should give Americans the facts, not ignore the 
truth. And, Mr. Speaker, if you'll indulge me for a second more, I have 
noticed that several individuals today have rightfully made speeches 
honoring the Reverend Jesse Jackson. I think it is very appropriate and 
fitting that his son, a Member of Congress, is presiding over the 
Chamber right now as temporary Speaker. I appreciate both his presence 
and his father's contributions.

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