“That’s why it’s so important that when the Republican plan comes out tomorrow, I think we will see a shift in this debate and a beginning of us coming together to ensure that we don’t go the route of government and instead we focus on patients.” – House Republican Whip Eric Cantor

House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA)
Remarks At A Press Stakeout
June 16, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBMrjLdbtxY

Rep. Eric Cantor: “In following up on the Leader’s statements about Republican efforts to try and make sure that we accomplish healthcare reform, I think the news yesterday from the CBO is the turning point in the healthcare debate so that we will be able to put some reason back into the discussion here and be able to produce for the middle-class families in this country. When CBO says, number one, we’re going to be spending $1 trillion – and that is a down payment on the cost of this healthcare reform – it is troubling when we’re trying to save money that we would be calling for that kind of expenditure.

“Number two, when CBO says that about a third of the uninsured is what will be insured under this bill, leaving two-thirds uninsured still without coverage, certainly doesn’t reach the mark that we’re trying to accomplish.

“Lastly, and I think most important and significant in this debate is, when you have projections of some groups saying that 100 million Americans will lose the plans they have, that is probably the most troubling aspect of the proposal that the Obama Administration is putting forward.

“That’s why it’s so important that when the Republican plan comes out tomorrow, I think we will see a shift in this debate and a beginning of us coming together to ensure that we don’t go the route of government and instead we focus on patients.

“I’d also like to speak briefly to the schedule today. As far as the War Supplemental is concerned, we’re looking to a very solid vote on our side of the aisle. We’ve heard rumors, and I know Huffington Post and others reported, that the White House was reaching out to members on our side of the aisle trying to offer a quid pro quo for their vote. Insinuating somehow, the reports did at least, that the DCCC would go easy on our members if they gave them their vote on this bill. I am hoping that is not occurring because that’s illegal. They ought to respond to that and put an end to it. We’re talking about our troops here. Obviously, there are very troubling aspects of the politicization of this bill, and I think we will see a vote that reflects that when it comes to the floor.” …

Rep. Cantor On The War Supplemental:

Rep. Cantor: “The level of spending in this bill beyond that of which is dedicated to our troops is very troubling. But there are also some tremendous policy statements being made in this bill that, in fact, endanger our troops. There have been statements made by General Odierno, the commander on the ground in Iraq, as late as a couple weeks ago, indicating the extreme danger that our troops will be placed in if the photos of the interrogation process are released. And the fact that we, in this Congress, can’t take a position to defend our troops and their safety is unacceptable to our members.

“So we’ve got that issue and also, the issue that the Administration continues to differ with the majority of the American people and certainly with members on our side of the aisle, which is the monies for the transfer of the GITMO detainees. When did it become, in this country, a priority for us to protect the rights of terrorists over the security of the American citizenry? That’s where this bill is and that’s why our members are saying we shouldn’t be politicizing the troop funding bill. We passed a clean funding bill out of this House with unanimous support from our conference and we ought to see that same bill come back to the floor.”

Watch the video HERE and HERE