Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13) tonight delivered the following remarks on the House floor regarding the Democrat health care bill:
 
           “Mr. Speaker, I rise today deeply troubled, not just by this bill, but by the historic opportunity this body has squandered.  We had so long to get this right, so many chances to take a step back and listen – really listen – to what the American people were asking of us.
 
           “Instead, true leadership was cast aside in favor of backroom deals, partisan games, and legislative gimmicks.  The best intentions – on both sides of the aisle – never had a chance to turn good ideas into great policy.  And we are left with a bill that everyone acknowledges is so poorly crafted that we‘re voting to overhaul it the same day it is going to the President.
 
           “But the American people still have a choice.  It’s not between this partisan bill and nothing.  We can still work together to deliver the common-sense reforms that the American people want. 
 
           “Mr. Speaker, I know many colleagues have been struggling with this vote.  I urge them to vote NO, and work with us to pass reforms we all can be proud of – that we all can vote for.
 
           “Mr. Speaker, I vote no. And I urge my colleagues to do the same.”

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