[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 38 (Tuesday, March 16, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H1450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1230
                           HEALTH CARE REFORM

  (Mr. LANCE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. LANCE. Madam Speaker, today, The Washington Post bore a headline 
that should be of grave concern to all Americans: ``House may try to 
pass Senate health care bill without voting on it.'' The Post article 
said, ``After laying the groundwork for a decisive vote this week on 
the Senate's health care bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested 
Monday that she might attempt to pass the measure without having 
Members vote on it.''
  Despite deep reservations of a majority of Americans, congressional 
leaders plan to ram through their 2,700-page, nearly $1 trillion 
proposal, by using a parliamentary maneuver that is both politically 
treacherous and likely unconstitutional. Article I, section 7 of the 
Constitution clearly states that a bill must pass both the House and 
Senate to become law.
  I call on leaders of Congress to adhere to our Constitution's 
requirement of democratic accountability and allow a straight up-or-
down vote on the majority party's health care proposal that is opposed 
by the American people.

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