WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) issued the following statement in response to the false attacks linking Federal Aviation Administration grants for three airports in the First Congressional District to Stupak’s vote in favor of health care reform:

“Individuals and organizations who are falsely trying to link my vote for health care reform to annual FAA maintenance grants awarded to my district are simply grasping at straws.  It is absurd to think I would change my vote for a tow truck and a fence to keep deer from walking onto the runway of an airport in Escanaba.  I have long advocated for comprehensive health care reform and voted in favor of the House health care reform bill – a fact that many opponents of health care reform can’t seem to acknowledge. 

Those making this disingenuous attack conveniently fail to mention that congressional districts in 47 other states were awarded these same grants during the same round of announcements, many with significantly higher funding amounts. 

My vote on health care had nothing to do with airport grants and everything to do with providing access to affordable quality health care to the American people.  I have said from the start that my goal was to see health care pass while maintaining the principle of the sanctity of life. 

The president’s Executive Order, combined with the colloquy I held with Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman on the floor of the House, ensure that there will be no public funding of abortion in the new health care reform bill.  When you apply the Hyde provisions protecting the unborn and add to it the fact that 32 million Americans will now have access to health care and millions more will not be denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions, this is one of the most truly pro-life pieces of legislation in modern times.”

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