Pete Stark: “I thank the gentlelady for yielding. Madam Speaker, since 1985, I have worked for today as we finish our job to enact…”

“I thank the gentlelady for yielding. Madam Speaker, since 1985, I have worked for today as we finish our job to enact health care reform in America. This reconciliation bill provides affordability of insurance premiums for low- and middle-income Americans. We've delayed the impact of the Cadillac tax plan on health benefits and ensured that changes are financed in a fair manner. The reform bill signed into law by President Obama is a historic step for our Nation. These bills provide health security for all families. The people with no coverage are guaranteed affordable coverage. Those who currently have insurance will find that coverage improved and more secure. I am honored to have helped to get us to this point. I look forward to working with all of my colleagues and the administration as we implement this vital new law. Today, we join all modern countries in providing quality, affordable health care to all. It's a great day for America. If I didn't think they'd take down my words, I would want to say ``yippie.''”