[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 165 (Tuesday, November 19, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1701-E1702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NIKI TSONGAS

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 19, 2013

  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast a vote on rollcall 586 
and 587 on November 15, 2013. I was in Massachusetts to meet with Army 
Chief of Staff General Ray Odierno at Natick Soldier Systems Center, 
the only active duty Army installation in New England. Since I 
encouraged him to come, and helped organize a portion of his visit, I 
felt it was necessary to be present.
   Had I been present for this vote, I would have voted ``yes'' on the 
Motion to Recommit (rollcall 586) and ``no'' on the final passage of 
H.R. 3350 (rollcall 587).
   I would have voted against H.R. 3350 because it would have opened up 
health insurance plans that do not meet the basic requirements of the 
Affordable Care Act to new enrollees. I would have voted for the 
Democratic Motion to Recommit. This motion would have given insurance 
companies the option to continue offering plans that were in existence 
as of October 1, 2013 to current enrollees, but would not have opened 
up these plans that do not meet basic requirements to new consumers.

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