Read his official statement on the vote

WASHINGTON -- United States Congressman Mac Thornberry issued this statement following passage of a health care reform bill in the house.  Below is the full statement in it's entirety.

U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry (TX-13) voted against the government takeover of health care and released the following statement after House Democrats passed their plan despite bipartisan opposition:

"This year, we have seen an incredible growth of government, and the American people are paying the price.  Speaker Pelosi’s health care bill is the latest, and one of the biggest, examples.  I voted against it.

The people of the 13^th district of Texas have been quite clear.  The overwhelming majority of them want no part of this 2,000 page, trillion dollar bill that adds 111 new commissions, agencies, and programs.  The Pelosi bill combines more government control and high taxes with fewer choices and wraps the whole package in a lot red tape.  It is bad for Texas, and it is bad for America. 

Most of us agree that improvements are needed in our health care system.  Too many of us have a hard time getting insurance, and premiums have been going up faster than wages.  We should focus on those two problems – and we can – without upending the whole system.

Among other problems, the Pelosi bill:

            1. Kills jobs with higher taxes and mountains of regulations on business.  At a time when unemployment is the highest in 25 years, Congress should be making it easier to hire new workers and less expensive to provide them with health insurance.  This bill does just the opposite, making it more expensive to hire and to insure workers.

            2. Cuts over $400 billion out of Medicare.  Congress should be taking steps to strengthen and improve Medicare for future generations.  Instead, H.R. 3962 squeezes money out of programs that are already in financial trouble.  Our seniors will end up with fewer choices and more money coming out of their pockets.

            3. Increases the cost of insurance for the 85% of Americans who have it now.  With more mandates and restrictions, the bill will increase the cost of insurance for those who have it.  Amendments to reduce premium costs, like the one I submitted, were rejected.

            4. Does not include verification measures to ensure that only U.S. citizens and legal residents qualify for benefits.

Although the bill has now passed the House, the fight is not over.  As attention turns to the Senate, this bill must be resisted every step of the way.  I will continue to advance common sense health care reform proposals that will help Americans find affordable coverage without saddling our children and grandchildren with billions of dollars of debt."