Last night, the House Republicans tried, and failed, to squelch a speech that I gave on health care. I intend to vote for the health care bill because that bill saves lives. And I also intend to speak out, as loudly as I can, on behalf of those Americans who cannot speak out, those who have died because they had no health insurance. And the Republicans tried, and failed, to shut me down, to shut down the truth.
Here's what happened.
I had reserved an hour on the Floor of the House for a "special order." When the hour began, I noted that a Harvard study had concluded that 44,789 Americans die each year because they have no health insurance. I also noted that the Urban Institute had released figures on the number of uninsured in each Congressional district. Observing that every single House Republican had pledged to block health coverage for the insured, I then did the math:
"Alabama District 1, Congressman Jo Bonner, 114 dead."
"Alabama District 3, Congressman Mike Rogers, 88 dead."
I continued for 23 minutes, from Alabama to Ohio. Then the Republicans demanded that I "yield," so they could object and interrupt me. I said no: "My time is limited, and I intend to use it." Flustered, the Republicans then asked my "words be taken down," and threatened to call a roll-call vote, at 8 p.m., on whether I should be sanctioned. This halted the proceedings, as you can see here.
The House staff informed the Republicans that I had violated no rule of the House. The Republicans then insisted on reviewing a recording of my speech, going through it with a fine-tooth comb to see if there was anything objectionable. They found nothing. Then they asked to "ring the bells" before the proceedings resumed, wasting another 15 minutes. Finally, after an hour of Republican stalling, I finished the list:
"Wyoming, Congressman Cynthia Lummis, 73 dead."
For the remainder of this hour, I then read real-life stories from the website namesofthedead.com. These are submitted by people who lost loved ones because they had no health insurance.
They used to call President Harry Truman 'Give 'em Hell Harry'. But President Truman said, "I don't give them hell; I just tell the truth and they think it's hell." I'm telling the Republicans this: Lives are at stake. If you can't stand the heat on health care, then get out of the kitchen.
Rep. Anthony Weiner: Countdown to Health Care: Crossing the Finish Line on the Public Option
We're on the cusp of health reform that includes a public option. This is further than the skeptics ever thought we would be, but there is still work to be done to prevent Congress from returning to old habits.
Keep going! Keep going! Keep going!
Why are the Nutty REP. allowed to make horrible and anti-government speeches on the Congress floor. There must be a law against that!
Why are the DEM. so afraid of the REP. Fringe and their Socialism Rant?
Every DEM. should wear a "Maybe it is time for a little Socialism" T-shirt and maybe that will shut the NUTS UP!
Why is that in other countries when born you are guaranteed Health Care, Higher Education
or Training, and a Job?
As a victim of economic losses resulting from the Commodity Futures Modernization Act and the Enron loophole, written partly by Enron lobbyist, Linda Robertson, for whom you had strong words, I asked a Central Florida journalist, who attacked you rather than your message, to present a “fair and balanced” story about WHY you called her what you did.
If he had presented the whole truth: that because of her greed and CFMA, thousands of Enron employees lost their jobs and their retirements and millions more, such as myself, suffered significant life changing economic losses, I’m sure these people would consider your comments an understatement.
This law enabled Enron and Exxon to report record profits while California and Aunt Millie suffered under a “non-energy crisis” and Americans were paying $4/gal for gas. Moreover, bankers, who gambled with, lost and pillaged our 401Ks, then received bailouts of our tax dollars were able to declare “profits” so they could pay unconscionable bonuses to the same people who caused most of these problems while more Americans lose their homes, their jobs and their insurance as they finance this legalized larceny on their way to bankruptcy.
What happened to the $2.2 Trillion that the Fed gave away?!?
PLEASE - keep after the TRUTH, sir.
From what I have read, the bill is far from universal and far from comprehensive.
I wonder what he might have to say about it.
You, Sir, are a personal hero of mine.
THANK YOU!
Keep it up Alan. We need a lot more like you.
I really wish this man was my representative. But really NOT because he is EVERY caring person's representative!
Fanned!
Finally, a Democrat with balls!