U.S. Congressman Kenny Marchant

Washington, Mar 22, 2010 - Congressman Kenny Marchant (TX-24) issued the following release yesterday following his votes against H.R. 3590 and H.R 4872.

“Tonight’s votes all but ensure that future generations of Americans will be buried underneath a mountain of debt with no end in sight. When I came to Congress, one of my main goals was to cut spending and cut the growth rate of spending. In order to do that, it takes courage – courage to say no. It’s easy to tell people they can have everything they want and there will be no consequences, but that is not true. Sooner or later, the debt will have to be repaid. With Medicare and Social Security going bankrupt in the not too distant future, it is unwise to pass yet another massive, new government entitlement program.

“There were many things that I and my Republicans colleagues could have found common ground with moderate Democrats on to help improve the health care system we now have, but the much-heralded health summit ended up being a charade. It was not an honest attempt to do the commonsense things that many members on both sides of the aisle agreed could be achieved.

“Ultimately, this issue and this vote was a clash over how people view the role of government. I do not support the current Administration’s efforts to erect a massive welfare state where people become ever more dependent on government. I, like most of my constituents, am very concerned with government encroaching into our lives, taking over many sectors of our private economy, and using the heavy hand of government to coerce and harass its citizens.

“I also considered the practical consequences of moving forward on this trillion dollar bill. Besides being the largest tax increase in history, this bill will undoubtedly be a boon to the abortion lobby which will now be getting taxpayer dollars to promote and perform abortions. Furthermore, Texas doctors were rightly concerned about many provisions of this bill, including the lack of tort reform. And, the individual mandate to buy health insurance will invite legal challenges to its constitutionality for the foreseeable future.

“Some contend this bill cuts the deficit. Nothing could be further from the truth. In order for that to be true, you would have to assume that the 21% cut in Medicare reimbursements to doctors (which costs nearly $300 billion to remedy) will not be fixed. And, you must also assume that Congress will voluntarily cut $500 billion from Medicare. Neither of those two things will happen, nor should they.

“The American people will remember the parliamentary contortions that were considered (deem and pass/self-executing rule/slaughter house rules) and utilized (reconciliation) to pass this bill. And, they will never forget the unsavory deals, payoffs, kickbacks, and sweeteners needed to pass this bill.”