Tom Coburn: “Mr. Chairman, it is important, the whole purpose for this bill is to make sure that we have a fair and open and honest…”

“Mr. Chairman, it is important, the whole purpose for this bill is to make sure that we have a fair and open and honest debate on what is occurring in this bill. I have been standing at this point patiently trying to be polite as we read this bill, wishing to be recognized and not interrupting. Although I may not have followed the exact protocol of the House, nevertheless I have been standing here prepared to offer this amendment which was preprinted, which was available. This is an amendment that should be considered by this House. The reason it should be considered is there are several thousand people in the United States who are HIV positive who will not be able to get drug treatment. This amendment brings money for those people. If this body wants to on a technical error deny people triple drug therapy that will prolong their life and delay the onset of AIDS, then so be it. But it is a shameful act if in fact we do not consider a debate or a characterization of this amendment.”