Joe Barton: “We have all seen the television program ``Deal or No Deal'' where you look at this case and you decide whether you want…”

“We have all seen the television program ``Deal or No Deal'' where you look at this case and you decide whether you want that case or you don't want the case and take the deal or not take the deal. Well, that's what we have, except this time, the Speaker of the House is saying that there may not even be a case, we don't want you to know what's in the case, we just want you to vote for this self-executing rule so that whatever happens happens. Well, that self-executing rule, Madam Speaker, is well named, because the people that vote for it are probably going to be victims of their own execution at the next congressional election. Let's have an up-or-down vote, just as the President has suggested, on a real bill, and make people accountable in their congressional districts whether they are for this massive health care bill, a government takeover of health care, or whether they want to keep the current system of private markets, private initiative and the market-based health care system. Do not make us vote on the self-executing rule.”