Sheila Jackson Lee: “Happy New Year to America. As we start this new year, I believe it is important to clarify a lot of misinterpretations…”

“Happy New Year to America. As we start this new year, I believe it is important to clarify a lot of misinterpretations about what the job of the Federal Government is and what this Congress' responsibility is. We are problem-solvers. We work to solve the issues on behalf of the American people. And as we look at this health care debate, which I hope will be entirely transparent, let the underlying premise be that 36 million people are without insurance. In addition, this health care bill will generate numerous numbers of jobs and new health professional scholarships to provide for doctors and nurses, making sure that you do not have a denial of insurance because of preexisting disease. And jobs we must make. We must move forward on the jobs bill, and I am in particular pushing one that says if you are on unemployment insurance, you can continue to get training. Scholarships and a stipend will be given to you along with your unemployment insurance so you can train for the new jobs. We have to be innovative and know what the American people want; but, most of all, the government of the United States is a problem-solver. The people of America are hurting, and we must address the questions of health care and the underutilized ability for Americans to be served by new health care as well as new jobs. America must answer the call.”