The American people have continually made it clear that they do not support the health care legislation being advanced by President Obama and Democrats in Congress. Beginning at town hall meetings across the country last August, and continuing through Scott Brown’s stunning election to the Massachusetts Senate seat formerly held by Ted Kennedy, the people have sent an unmistakable message to Congress: This bill costs too much, taxes too much, gives the government too much control over health care, and should be defeated.

Unfortunately, Democratic leaders in Congress aren’t getting the message. Their latest attempt to make an end-run around the American people consists of using an obscure tactic known as “budget reconciliation.” A reconciliation bill can pass with just 51 votes in support, instead of the 60 votes that are typically needed for passage in the Senate. While the intricacies of Congress’s procedural rules might ordinarily be of little interest to most people, it’s important for Americans to understand how Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid are willing to use any and every tactic to ram through a government takeover of one-sixth of the U.S. economy—in complete defiance of the American people. Now, it is more important than ever that Americans make their voices heard in Washington, D.C. As this process unfolds, I and my Republican colleagues in the House and Senate will be working around the clock to expose the Democratic Majority’s desperate actions and stop this damaging bill from becoming law.