The following statement was issued on Nov. 21, 2009, by Richard Kirsch, national campaign manager for the pro-reform umbrella group Health Care for America Now, in response to the 60-39 Senate vote on cloture:
“By voting to begin debate, Senate Democrats took another key step toward putting a bill on the President’s desk that guarantees good, affordable coverage for America’s families and businesses.
It is a shame not a single Republican in the Senate could put aside partisan gamesmanship to allow a legislative debate. We thought debating legislation is what Members of Congress were sent to Washington to do. Instead, Republicans continue to shill for the health insurance industry which is trying to kill meaningful reform. Republicans have proven once again they don’t know how to say anything but “no.”
Our nation’s families and businesses can no longer wait for good, affordable health care with the choice of a public health insurance option, and Senate Democrats clearly understand we have come too far to slow down now.
We look forward to working with Senate Democrats in the coming weeks to make a good bill even better.”
