Sam Brownback: “I strongly believe and I strongly urge that this should have gone through a committee process so we could have had…”

“I strongly believe and I strongly urge that this should have gone through a committee process so we could have had amendments taking place and could have had this dealt with in depth in a committee. I think that it did not is regretable, particularly on such a large piece of legislation that affects so many people. But that wasn't the choice of the majority that is running the floor. They decided not to go through that process, and so we are here as we are today. I hope, since this bill did not go through the normal committee process, we can have an extended amendment process to improve the bill in substantial ways as we proceed through this debate and consideration of this key legislation affecting much of health care delivery in this country. Through a good, strong, open amendment process, we can, hopefully, at the end of the day, vote on this bill and have something with which we are all pleased. Having made those initial comments, I want to point out legitimate and serious concerns I have about the effects of this legislation on people throughout the country.”