Lawmaker Says American Public Must Be Given Time To Review Important Legislation

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) today called on congressional leaders to pledge publicly to post the final health care reform bill on the Internet for two weeks prior to any votes in Congress.

“The American people have a right to read and review the final health care bill in a time that is honest, reasonable and fair,” said Lance. “The American people and Congress deserve a reasonable time to read this legislation and understand exactly what’s in it. That’s a transparent, simple and common sense request.”

Last year Lance was one of the first members of Congress to post the entire House-passed health care bill on his congressional website.

Thousands of constituents have visited Lance’s health care portal lance.house.gov/healthcare to understand more about the health care reform and alternative legislation. Congressman Lance also made copies of the more than 2,000 page bill available to local area libraries for constituents to read and review.

Congressman Lance has championed the call for greater transparency in the health care debate. Last week he called on top leaders in the House, Senate and White House to allow C-SPAN to televise the health care negotiations in public view.

And Last October Lance became an original sponsor of H.Res. 847 — a measure that would put the House of Representatives on record against secret, closed-door, backroom deals on health care legislation.

“The health care bill is a measure that will affect the lives of all Americans. I support President Obama’s campaign pledge to keep the health care process transparent, complete with C-SPAN cameras, and urge leaders in Washington to negotiate the final health care bill in an open and transparent way so that the American people will truly know what is in the final bill,” Lance concluded.

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