U.S. Congressman Kenny Marchant

Washington D.C., Jan 13, 2010 - Congressman Kenny Marchant (TX-24) today issued the following release blasting the closed-door negotiations of the health bill.

“Speaker Pelosi has showed no inclination to embrace anything even slightly resembling openness and transparency regarding the ongoing negotiations between the House and Senate bills. Blocking Republicans from the traditional conference negotiations is one thing. Slamming the door on the faces of the American people is another. We need to know who – if anyone – is reaping the benefits of sweetheart deals. A good bill should not require kickbacks or special deals for Senators who capitulate. While the arm-twisting continues, the President has embraced business as usual.

“C-SPAN has offered to televise the negotiations and yet the President and Speaker Pelosi have refused. If this is such a great bill for the American people, then let’s shine the light on the negotiations. If the American people are going to be forced to buy whatever the government is selling, they deserve to know what they are buying before the ink dries on this travesty.”