Providing For Consideration Of H.R. 3293, Departments Of Labor, Health And Human Services, And Education, And Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Statement

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Mr. GRAVES. I thank the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this proposed rule. I don't know what it is about open debate and process that some leaders in this House fear so much.

Today, the House of Representatives is considering an appropriation bill under a closed rule. In fact, yesterday, we learned that the option of the health care legislation's bypassing the House Energy and Commerce Committee isn't off the table since neither the Speaker nor the chairman have the votes in committee to pass their multitrillion-dollar Big Government health bill.

My own amendment that I offered, along with Congressman Bonner, to today's bill was rejected. It didn't violate a single rule of the House, but because the Speaker doesn't want Members to protect small businesses from their onerous mandates and tax increases, the message is loud and clear to me. The majority has no plans to protect small businesses in any health care plan that comes to this floor.

This is unacceptable, and the majority leadership's legislative game of hide-and-seek can only last so long. Sooner or later, when health care legislation comes to the floor, Members of this body are going to have to make a decision. They're either going to vote to increase taxes and force everybody into a government-run health care plan or they're going to have to vote it down.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in standing up for our Nation's small businesses today by voting against this rule. I appreciate the opportunity.

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