Lou Ann Zelenik Comments on House Health Care Bill Passage
Posted: 2009-11-08 by Lou Ann News
"The worst aspect of this legislation is that it stands as a frontal assault on our basic freedoms as Americans."
Murfreesboro, Tennessee - Lou Ann Zelenik, candidate for Congress in Tennessee's Sixth District, today condemned passage of House Bill 3962 and Congressman Bart Gordon's repeated reversals of position on the issue.
"H.R. 3962 is bad policy," Zelenik said. "It is bad policy for future generations who will feel the cost burden and bad policy for our seniors who will see their Medicare benefits slashed if this bill becomes law. While it is bad policy for many individual groups, the worst aspect of this legislation is that it stands as a frontal assault on our basic freedoms as Americans."
Zelenik noted the lack of leadership from Congressman Bart Gordon on this critical issue. His vacillating on the overall bill as well as important individual provisions left Tennesseans of all political views confused and unsure of his positions.
- On July 31, Gordon first voted to remove public funding of abortions from the bill in the Energy and Commerce Committee, then changed his vote and allowed funding under pressure. Gordon subsequently told constituents he "will never" vote for such funding.
- On the same day, Gordon voted to advance a bill containing public funding of abortions and a "public option" out of the Energy and Commerce Committee.
- On November 4, Gordon announced he would not support the final version of the bill.
- On November 7, Gordon voted on a procedural question that allowed the bill to advance in the House.
"In these critical days, Tennesseans are looking for a representative who will lead," Zelenik said. "In Bart Gordon they have a representative who lifts his finger to the political wind, tries to lose his constituents in the maze of House rules and procedures and prefers to follow Nancy Pelosi rather than lead on the issues facing our nation. Our district deserves better.
When in Congress, there will never be a question as to where I stand. The votes I cast will always fall on the side of greater freedom, promote independence over government dependence and will stand on the conservative views of the Sixth District."
