Statement from US Representative Mark Souder (R-IN, 3rd):
Souder opposes government takeover of health care
Condemns Democrats’ deceptive maneuvers to pass legislation
(WASHINGTON, D.C., March 22, 2010) – U.S. Rep. Mark Souder voted today against House passage of H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and H.R. 4872, the Reconciliation Act of 2010, which together represent a federal government takeover of 17 percent of the U.S. economy. Despite his opposition, the bills passed the House by a narrow margin of 219 to 212 and 220-211.
“After a weekend of arm-twisting, backroom deals and phony compromise, President Obama and the Democrats have delivered a bill that will do little to address the real problems with our current health care system,” Souder stated. “Fortunately, people in northeast Indiana have seen through the false promises and budget gimmicks.”
“But sadly, the thousands of Hoosiers who voiced their strong opposition in town hall meetings, letters, phone calls and even marching in Washington as late as yesterday evening, have been ignored,” Souder added. “The legislation passed in the House today will raise taxes on middle-class families, cut Medicare benefits and increase premiums for seniors, and will impose a new tax on businesses, destroying new and current jobs during a time when millions of Americans are already unemployed.”
“Perhaps the most discouraging blow delivered by this bill, however, is the creation of a new system that provides publicly-funded subsidies for insurance plans that include abortion coverage, thus greatly increasing the accessibility and affordability of this abhorrent procedure that has already taken so many innocent human lives,” Souder concluded.
H.R. 3590 will now be sent to the president for his signature.
H.R. 4872 will now be sent to the Senate for further consideration.