Washington, DC - “First, on a personal note, I want to thank the President for his kind remarks about my father.  Dad was a great man and he gave his all to see that all Americans get access to health care. It is a testament to his character and determination that he is still recognized today, almost 54 years since he left us.

 

“The President’s remarks remind us what this debate is all about – making sure Americans have access to the best health care in the world and ensuring that our nation can pay for it.  His remarks will not stop the lies coming from those outfits paid to defeat our bill, nor will they not stop insurance companies from spending $1.4 million a day to lobby Congress against H.R. 3200, and they will not change the minds of those politicians who simply want to hand the President a highly visible, painful defeat.  What the President did do was spell out responsible and practical solutions to our health care crisis. Not everyone will get exactly what they want, but it is clear from this evening’s remarks the President is determined to give us the bill we need.  I ask that all Americans take a look at the facts he laid out this evening.

 

“My Democratic House colleagues, many of whom like me endured difficult town hall meetings back in the district during August, are more committed than ever to getting a bill through the House that will create quality, affordable health care for our nation.  We will continue to discuss the public option and I will continue to work on a bill that will control costs, protect consumers and make our system more competitive.  I am pleased that the President clearly stated his support for the public option again this evening.  I will also work with my colleagues – from Blue Dog to Progressive and all points in between – to find common ground, and perhaps we can agree on a ‘trigger’ that would make all sides happy.  President Obama included Republican proposals in his address this evening – an important step towards bipartisanship.  There is room to deal on all sides.  We must sit down together and work out the details that divide us so we can get to the enormous goal that unites us – creating secure and stable health care for all Americans.

 

“If you look at the Energy and Commerce Committee, you can see terrific suggestions coming from Members like Anthony Weiner and Bart Gordon, who come from very different places on the ideological spectrum, but both are determined to finding solutions and averting a certain calamity heading our way.  This is the spirit we need now.  Political opportunists who want to grandstand and demagogue this issue – your time in the spotlight is over.  Come willing to work with us on a good bill or be prepared to watch from the sidelines.

 

“Many of the Presidents suggestions are already part H.R. 3200, including as the much needed reforms of the insurance industry and making health care more affordable for all.  We even addressed medical malpractice issues, one that the President highlighted, in an amendment that passed during Energy and Commerce mark up.  As we continue to move through this legislative process we will refine the bill based on the Presidents priorities so that we develop the best possible package.

 

“The President has given us something strong to work with.  I would be the first to say it if he needed to do something different.  Now, we must take the policy prescriptions he has put forward and make it reality.  I owe all those who’ve fought this battle before me and along side me – from my dear old dad to my friend Senator Kennedy – to find a way to make this happen.  We can get a deal done… and we will.  That is my promise.”