Zoe Lofgren: “it has been quite a week here in the House of Representatives. On Tuesday, we made it a felony for scientists to cure…”

“it has been quite a week here in the House of Representatives. On Tuesday, we made it a felony for scientists to cure disease with stem cells; Wednesday, we gave $36 billion in tax goodies to big oil, gas and others, and allowed drilling in national refuges; and today, we see the perversion of a good idea, a law that would protect patients from insurance companies has been transformed into a bill that protects insurance companies from patients. The President's deal was obviously written by, or at least for, special interests. It would repeal California's responsible law and replace it with a new Federal preemption that would prevent wrongdoers who are insurers, even intentional wrongdoers, from being held responsible for their actions. Now, why is it that doctors, lawyers, nurses can be held responsible for their wrongdoing, but not insurance companies? It looks to me that the bigger the campaign contributions to the Republicans, the bigger the payoff with laws to benefit those same contributors. This body has morphed from a place where legislation is deliberated upon to the White House ATM machine. This week, start by making scientists criminals; midweek, trash the environment; today, destroy the patients' bill of rights. It is a good thing Congress is about to recess. I do not know if the country could stand another week like this one of Republican ``victories,'' where the special interests rule to the detriment of ordinary Americans.”