On the recordJune 7, 2012
I thank my friend from Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to vote ``no'' on ordering the previous question so we can consider Mr. Connolly's amendment that would give our constituents a chance to see whose side their representative is on. Since the Republican majority took office, they have repeatedly focused on chipping away at the protections afforded by Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and the Affordable Care Act. Yet many of these same Members are happy to claim these benefits for themselves and their families, even as they vote to deny access to these benefits for the very people who put them in office. The American people deserve better. We're saying to our colleagues on the other side of the aisle: if you're going to force your constituents to give up the right to access affordable insurance or retirement security, then you should do the same. Last year, I introduced a resolution that would require all Members of Congress to publicly disclose whether they participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program. The reasoning was simple: if Republicans wish to take away quality affordable health care from Americans, then they can no longer hide their benefits from the taxpayers that subsidize their own care.…
