Sen. Cornyn: Pelosi Breaks Transparency Pledge

Statement

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, made the following statement regarding House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's reversal on her pledge to allow 72 hours for people to review health care legislation:

"Speaker Pelosi's 180 is shameful and the height of hypocrisy. She promised the American people that Democrats would usher in an era of unprecedented openness and transparency. President Obama promised that, under his Administration, the government would do their business ‘in the light of day.' We now realize that was all lip service as Speaker Pelosi breaks her promise so she can railroad through job-killing health care legislation that will raise taxes on the middle class, increase premiums and slash a half trillion dollars from Medicare, as the President stands by in silence. The American people were promised, and deserve, better."

Speaker Pelosi then:

"Democrats will create the most open and honest government in history, and put power back where it belongs -- in the hands of all the people." (January 18, 2006)

Question: "Do you support the measure to put the final House bill online for 72 hours before it's voted on at the very end?"

Speaker Pelosi: "Absolutely. Without question." (September 24, 2009)

Speaker Pelosi now:

"No, [the] pledge was to have manager's amendment online for 72 hours and we will do that." -- Pelosi spokesperson explaining what she really meant.

Source