[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[House]
[Pages 21217-21218]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         THE PRESIDENT'S RHETORIC SHOULDN'T BE TAKEN LITERALLY

  (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, in a speech before the American 
Medical Association, the President made a promise to the American 
people which he has often repeated: If you like your doctor, you will 
be able to keep your doctor. If you like your health care plan, you 
will be able to keep your health care plan. No one will take it away, 
no matter what end.
  However, when asked about this, White House officials told the 
Associated Press, The President's rhetoric shouldn't be taken 
literally.
  So when it comes to serious concerns that most Americans have about 
health care proposals, White House officials admit you can't believe 
what the President says. That's astounding. If we can't take the 
President literally on his promises to the American people, why aren't 
the national media all

[[Page 21218]]

over this? The American people need the facts about health care reform, 
not political cover for the President.

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