RNC Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement today about the Senate health care bill. Here’s the full text:
Today we learned that Harry Reid’s backroom deals and closed-door meetings have led to a health care bill that will cost American taxpayers nearly a trillion dollars. And get this: Harry Reid and the Democrats are celebrating. While they claim victory, the American people will be faced with higher taxes, increased premiums and cuts to Medicare. They are ramming this government-run health care program through Congress – when Americans don’t want it, and our country can’t afford it. At the beginning of this debate, eight ‘moderate’ Democrats insisted that Harry Reid pledge to allow senators and the American people 72 hours to read the full legislative text and CBO score prior to voting. A number of those Democrats remain uncommitted to this bill – now is their chance to keep their word. Any so-called ‘moderate’ Democrats who try to use this CBO score as a fig-leaf to hide their vote to expand government and increase Americans’ health care costs, while denying the American people time to read and consider this bill, will quickly learn their constituents will not be fooled.
