[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 26053]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              HEALTH CARE

  (Mr. TONKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, the American people elect us to serve as 
innovators and problem solvers. I am an engineer; I see a problem, and 
I come up with a solution. The Democratic Party is a party of 
solutions, especially when it comes to health insurance reform.
  So I ask you today, Mr. Speaker, where are the Republican solutions? 
One hundred and thirty-three days ago, my friends from the Republican 
side of the aisle said they were going to have a comprehensive plan. 
Where is that plan, and just what are those solutions?
  Democrats have already pledged to make the merged health reform bill 
public for 72 hours before it is considered on the floor. Will 
Republicans promise to do the same?
  Given the status quo of health insurance coverage in the United 
States, it appears as if Republicans want to continue to deny coverage 
for preexisting conditions, force families into bankruptcy because of 
health care costs, stifle the growth of business, and continue to play 
politics as usual by defending insurance companies and pharmaceutical 
companies. Then they should also be happy to be labeled the party of 
``no.''

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