On the recordMarch 21, 2010
Mr. Speaker, earlier this month President Obama said, ``Everything there is to say about health care has been said, and just about everyone has said it.'' Perhaps he is right. Perhaps everyone in Washington has said all there is to say. The lines have been drawn, and the number of undecided votes is dwindling. But perhaps it is time for Washington to stop talking and start listening. I am listening to the calls coming into my office, 13-1 against this legislation. I am listening to residents of Minnesota's Second Congressional District, who told me during a town hall last week 72 percent of them are opposed to this bill. I am listening to small business owners in my State and around this Nation who are paralyzed by the fear of new mandates, job-killing taxes, crushing Federal deficits, and more government control. I am listening to the thousands of citizens who traveled to our Nation's capital this weekend to tell us in no uncertain terms they want us to kill the bill. I am listening, and what I am hearing is the American people shouting ``stop.'' They want us to start over. They want health care reform we can afford. They want reform that will bring down costs without sacrificing quality or personal freedom. Mr. Speaker, they want us to say ``no'' to this bill today so we can come back and do better tomorrow. There is no question that there are Members in this body, Republicans and Democrats, who are ready to go to work on a much improved bill.…





