On the recordFebruary 2, 2011
I wish to start my comments today by complimenting Senator DeMint. Those were very thoughtful comments. Many of my friends on the other side of the aisle are now acknowledging the problems with the health care law. It was a fascinating process, last September and October as we were leading up to the November elections, to see Members running to be on the other side of the aisle and saying, well, I would have done this differently, and if I get there, I will do that differently. One such provision designated for repair is my legislation to repeal the 1099 reporting mandate that is in the legislation. To be clear, I have never argued that that was the start of the unraveling of the health care bill. I do not believe that for a moment. What I would say is this: That provision should have never been in the health care law. I am very pleased to report today that that legislation, after two attempts to try to get it repealed, now has the support, bipartisan support, of 61 Senators. The President mentioned repealing this provision in the State of the Union Address. While there is bipartisan agreement on this provision that it needs to be taken out and repealed, the rest of the 2,700-page bill is still bursting at the seams with flawed provision after flawed provision.
