[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 25 (Thursday, February 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               OBAMA ADMINISTRATION HOLDING WRONG SUMMIT

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                            HON. LAMAR SMITH

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2010

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, the President's health care summit 
today was too little, too late: the Administration has already released 
its health care proposal without consulting Republicans.
  Instead of a summit on health care, we should have a summit on job 
creation, or a summit on cutting spending and reducing the deficit, or 
a summit on lawsuit abuse reform, or a summit on not treating 
terrorists like common criminals.
  The Administration's health care plan raises premiums, increases 
taxes and cuts Medicare benefits for seniors, according to the non-
partisan Congressional Budget Office. It's no wonder 67 percent of 
Americans now want Congress to start over on health care.
  Instead of defying the wishes of Americans, the Administration should 
address the 15 million people who are unemployed, the millions more who 
have given up on finding a job, and specifically the 17 percent 
unemployment rate in the black community.
  The Administration should listen to the American people, not hold a 
six-hour photo-op on the wrong subject.

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