On the recordMarch 16, 2010
Madam Speaker, yesterday I held a town hall in Statesville, North Carolina, to hear from my constituents about health care reform. One thing was abundantly clear: they do not want this bill, and they're sick and tired of the backroom deals and provisions that have characterized this process. They wanted health care reform, but they were vehemently opposed to the Senate bill. My constituents are asking me, If this is such a wonderful bill, why is the majority resorting to tricks and sleight of hand to get it passed? If this bill is so great, why not have a regular vote? The answer is simple: this is not a bill the American people want. Some Members acknowledge that. Madam Speaker, we should listen to the American people. We should take an incremental approach to health care reform that the American people can support. ____________________
