Thread: Senator Cornyn: I Accept The President's Challenge

Senator Cornyn: I Accept The President's Challenge
Written by Heritage.org
Tuesday, 22 December 2009 16:12

WASHINGTON-U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, today issued the following statement in response to President Obama's challenge to critics of his handling of Health Care reform in the wake of campaign promises made before his election:
<p style="text-align: left;">[img]http://api.ning.com/files/HJEtOLjRWLTYLEfXYmmYEU2qFWuzAa1r-WNcHEmwnQ4IOeRXhCWWPrJWwrhDDFdJv*htpPll7aCEPLIAA7W fu7-UK60gpxBe/Cornyn_I_Accept.jpg[/img]</p>


"I have two words for President Obama regarding his challenge to identify the 'gap' between what he campaigned on last year and what Congress is on the verge of passing: I accept," Sen. Cornyn said.

Below is a list of promises President Obama made on the campaign trail that don't match up to the reality in the Reid bill:

Promise: Transparency

"I'm going to have all the negotiations around a big table. We'll have negotiations televised on C-SPAN, so that people can see who is making arguments on behalf of their constituents and who are making arguments on behalf of the drug companies or the insurance companies."

Presidential Candidate Senator Barack Obama, Chester, Virginia, August 2008

Reid Bill Reality

"The first big fight over the Senate Finance Committee's health care legislation erupted Tuesday night: a rollicking brawl over a deal that the Obama administration cut with the pharmaceutical industry..." The New York Times, September 23, 2009
---

"But now, as a Senate vote on health-care legislation nears, those negotiations are occurring in a setting that is anything but revolutionary in Washington: Three senators are working on the bill behind closed doors." The Washington Post, October 18, 2009
---

"I would say to the Senator from Arizona that I'm in the dark almost as much as he is. And I'm in the leadership." Sen. Dick Durbin, Floor Remarks, December 12, 2009
---

"Senate Democratic leaders and White House officials met through the day with Mr. Nelson..." The New York Times, December 19, 2009

Promise: Lower Costs for Families

"The plan I'm announcing tonight would meet three basic goals. It will provide more security and stability to those who have health insurance. It will provide insurance for those who don't. And it will slow the growth of health care costs for our families, our businesses, and our government." President Obama, Remarks To Joint Session of Congress, 9/9/09


Reid Bill Reality for Families

"The U.S. Senate's healthcare bill would raise insurance premiums by at least 10 percent by 2016 for those independently buying coverage... the Congressional Budget Office said on Monday." Reuters, November 30, 2009---

"Although CBO and JCT have not updated the estimates provided in that letter, the effects on premiums of the legislation incorporating the manager's amendment would probably be quite similar." Congressional Budget Office, December 19, 2009

Promise: Lower Costs for Businesses

"The plan I'm announcing tonight would meet three basic goals. It will provide more security and stability to those who have health insurance. It will provide insurance for those who don't. And it will slow the growth of health care costs for our families, our businesses, and our government." President Obama, Remarks To Joint Session of Congress, 9/9/09

Reid Bill Reality

"The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which is short on savings and long on costs, is the wrong reform, at the wrong time and will increase healthcare costs and the cost of doing business." National Federation of Independent Businesses, December 8, 2009
---

"In general, firms with more than 50 workers that did not offer coverage would have to pay a penalty of $750 for each full-time worker if any of their workers obtained subsidized coverage through the insurance exchanges..." Congressional Budget Office, December 19, 2009---

"Requiring Employers To Offer Health Insurance-Or Pay A Fee If They Do Not - Is Likely To Reduce Employment..." Congressional Budget Office, July 14, 2009

Promise: Lower Costs

"The plan I'm announcing tonight would meet three basic goals. It will provide more security and stability to those who have health insurance. It will provide insurance for those who don't. And it will slow the growth of health care costs for our families, our businesses, and our government."

President Obama, Remarks To Joint Session of Congress, 9/9/09

Reid Bill Reality

"Under the legislation, federal outlays for health care would increase during the 2010-2019 period, as would the federal budgetary commitment to health care. The net increase in that commitment would be about $200 billion..." Congressional Budget Office, December 19, 2009
--

"In discussions with dozens of health-care leaders and economists, I find near unanimity of opinion that, whatever its shape, the final legislation that will emerge from Congress will markedly accelerate national health-care spending rather than restrain it." Dr. Jeffrey Flier, Harvard Medical School, November 17, 2009
---

"In aggregate, we estimate that for calendar years 2010 through 2019, [National Health Expenditures] would increase by $234 billion..." Obama Administration Chief Actuary, December 10, 2009

Promise: Premiums

"I have made a solemn pledge that I will sign a universal health care bill into law by the end of my first term as president that will cover every American and cut the cost of a typical family's premium by up to $2,500 a year." Presidential Candidate Obama, Hartford, Connecticut, June 23, 2007

Reid Bill Reality

The average premiums would increase by $2,100 for a family policy in the individual market. Congressional Budget Office, November 30, 2009

---

"Although CBO and JCT have not updated the estimates provided in that letter, the effects on premiums of the legislation incorporating the manager's amendment would probably be quite similar." Congressional Budget Office, December 19, 2009

Promise: Deficits

"First, I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits - either now or in the future. Period." President Obama, Remarks To Joint Session of Congress, 9/9/09


Reid Bill Reality

"While the CBO said that both the House-passed bill and the one Reid has drafted meet Obama's test by being budget-neutral, every expert I have talked to says that the public has it right. These bills, as they stand, are budget-busters." David Broder, The Washington Post, November 22, 2009

---
"And a steady two-thirds [66%] of Americans think the changes would increase the federal budget deficit." Washington Post/ABC News poll, December 15, 2009

Promise: Taxes

"I can make a firm pledge: under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 will see their taxes increase - not your income taxes, not your payroll taxes, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes." Presidential Candidate Obama, Dover, New Hampshire, September 12, 2008


Reid Bill Reality

In 2019, 41.2 million individuals and families or 25% of all tax returns under $200,000 will, on average, see their taxes go up. Data from the Joint Committee on Taxation, 12/19/09

Promise: You Can Keep What You Have

"Let me be exactly clear about what health care reform means to you... First of all, if you've got health insurance, you like your doctors, you like your plan, you can keep your doctor, you can keep your plan. Nobody is talking about taking that away from you." President Obama, Holmdel, New Jersey, July 16, 2009


Reid Bill Reality

"Between 8 million and 9 million other people who would be covered by an employment-based plan under current law would not have an offer of such coverage under the proposal."

Congressional Budget Office, December 19, 2009

Promise: Choice Of Doctor and Plan

"Comprehensive health reform should... guarantee choice of doctors and health plans."

The White House Health Care Website

Reid Bill Reality

Medicaid would be the only health care option for 50 million Americans under the Reid health care bill. Congressional Budget Office, December 19, 2009

Promise: Medicare Benefits

"So don't pay attention to those scary stories about how your benefits will be cut... That will not happen on my watch. I will protect Medicare."

President Obama, Remarks To Joint Session Of Congress, 9/9/09



Reid Bill Reality

"Congress' chief budget officer on Tuesday contradicted President Barack Obama's oft-stated claim that seniors wouldn't see their Medicare benefits cut under a health care overhaul...The head of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, Douglas Elmendorf, told senators that seniors in Medicare's managed care plans could see reduced benefits..."

CBS News, September 23, 2009
----

"Providers for whom Medicare constitutes a substantive portion of their business could find it difficult to remain profitable and might end their participation in the program (possibly jeopardizing access to care for beneficiaries)." Obama Administration Chief Actuary, December 10, 2009

Promise: Lawsuit Reform

"I want to work with the AMA so we can scale back the excessive defensive medicine that reinforces our current system, and shift to a system where we are providing better care simply -- rather than simply more treatment. So this is going to be a priority for me."
President Obama, Remarks To The AMA, Chicago, IL, 6/15/09

Reid Bill Reality

The Reid bill includes only a Sense of the Senate and grants for "Demonstration Programs."

Legislative language of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act


S .Amdt 2786 To H.R. 3590, "Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act," P. 1858

Page 344 of the Managers Amendment:

Promise: Taxpayer Dollars to Pay for Abortions

"No federal dollars will be used to fund abortions."

President Obama, Remarks To Joint Session Of Congress, 9/9/09


Reid Bill Reality

"The new abortion language solves none of the fundamental abortion-related problems with the Senate bill, and it actually creates some new abortion-related problems."
National Right to Life, December 19, 2009

http://www.rightsidenews.com/2009122278 ... lenge.html

What more, needs to be said? I think Senator Cronyn makes the point boys and girls.

But when will this get exposed by the likes of MSLSD, and the New York Slimes?

Please copy to a word document and then fax to all Democrat Senators:

Title Name Party State/Dist. Phone / Fax
Senator_1
Senator_2
Your Representative
Senator Bayh Evan D Indiana 202-224-5623 202-228-1377
Senator Byrd Robert D West Virginia 202-224-3954 202-228-0002
Senator Carper Thomas D Delaware 202-224-2441 202-228-2190
Senator Casey Robert D Pennsylvania 202-224-6324 202-228-0604
Senator Conrad Kent D North Dakota 202-224-2043 202-224-7776 Senator Dorgan Byron D North Dakota 202-224-2551 202-224-1193
Senator Johnson Tim D South Dakota 202-224-5842 202-228-5765
Senator Landrieu Mary D Louisiana 202-224-5824 202-224-9735
Senator Leahy Patrick D ermont 202-224-4242 202-224-3479
Senator Lincoln Blanche DArkansas 202-224-4843 202-228-1371
Senator Nelson Ben D Nebraska 202-224-6551 202-228-0012
Senator Pryor Mark D Arkansas 202-224-2353 202-228-0908
Senator Reid Harry D Nevada 202-224-3542 202-224-7327
Option 2
All of the above plus the following:
Senator Baucus Max D Montana 202-224-2651 202-224-9412
Senator Cantwell Maria D Washington 202-224-3441 202-228-0514
Senator Feingold Russell D Wisconsin 202-224-5323 202-224-2725
Senator Klobuchar Amy D Minnesota 202-224-3244 202-228-2186
Senator McCaskill Claire D Missouri 202-224-6154 202-228-6326
Senator Murray Patty D Washington 202-224-2621 202-224-0238
Senator Rockefeller John D West Virginia 202-224-6472 202-224-7665
Senator Stabenow Debbie D Michigan 202-224-4822 202-228-0325
Senator Tester Jon D Montana 202-224-2644 202-224-8594
Senator Webb James D Virginia 202-224-4024 202-228-6363
Option 3
All of the above plus the following:
Senator Akaka Daniel D Hawaii 202-224-6361 202-224-2126
Senator Alexander Lamar R Tennessee 202-224-4944 202-228-3398
Senator Barrasso John R Wyoming 202-224-6441 202-224-1724
Senator Begich Mark D Alaska 202-224-3004 202-228-3205
Senator Bennet Michael D Colorado 202-224-5852 202-228-5036
Senator Bennett Robert R Utah 202-224-5444 202-228-1168
Senator Bingaman Jeff DNew Mexico 202-224-5521 202-224-2852
Senator Bond Kit R Missouri 202-224-5721 202-224-8149
Senator Boxer Barbara D California 202-224-3553 202-224-0454
Senator Brown Sherrod D Ohio 202-224-2315 202-228-6321
Senator Brownback Sam R Kentucky 202-224-4343 202-228-1373
Senator Burr Richard R North Carolin 202-224-3154 202-228-2981
Senator Burris Roland D Illinois 202-224-2854 202-228-3333
Senator Cardin Benjamin D Maryland 202-224-4524 202-224-1651
Senator Chambliss Saxby R Georgia 202-224-3521 202-224-0103
Senator Coburn Tom R Oklahoma 202-224-5754 202-224-6008
Senator Cochran Thad R Mississippi 202-224-5054 202-224-9450
Senator Collins Susan R Maine 202-224-2523 202-224-2693
Senator Corker Bob R Tennessee 202-224-3344 202-228-0566
Senator Cornyn John R Texas 202-224-2934 202-228-2856
Senator Crapo Mike R Idaho 202-224-6142 202-228-1375
Senator DeMint James R South Carolina 202-224-6121 202-228-5143
Senator Dodd Christopher D Connecticut 202-224-2823 202-224-1083
Senator Durbin Richard D Illinois 202-224-2152 202-228-0400
Senator Ensign John R Nevada 202-224-6244 202-228-2193
Senator Enzi Michael R Wyoming 202-224-3424 202-228-0359
Senator Feinstein Dianne D California 202-224-3841 202-228-3954
Senator Gillibrand Kirsten D New York 202-224-4451 202-228-0282
Senator Graham Lindsey R South Carolina202-224-5972 202-224-3808
Senator Grassley Charles R Iowa 202-224-3744 202-224-6020
Senator Gregg Judd R New Hampshire 202-224-3324 202-224-4952
Senator Hagan Kay D North Carolina 202-224-6342 202-228-2563
Senator Harkin Tom D Iowa 202-224-3254 202-224-9369
Senator Hatch Orrin R Utah 202-224-5251 202-224-6331
Senator Hutchison Kay R Texas 202-224-5922 202-224-0776
Senator Inhofe James R Oklahoma 202-224-4721 202-228-0380
Senator Inouye Daniel D Hawaii 202-224-3934 202-224-6747
Senator Isakson Johnny R Georgia 202-224-3643 202-228-0724
Senator Johanns Mike RNebraska 202-224-4224 202-228-0436
Senator Kaufman Ted D Delaware 202-224-5042 202-228-3075
Senator Kirk Jr. Paul D Massachusetts 202-224-4543 202-224-2417
Senator Kerry John D Massachusetts 202-224-2742 202-224-8525
Senator Kohl Herb D Wisconsin 202-224-5653 202-224-9787
Senator Kyl Jon R Arizona 202-224-4521 202-224-2207
Senator Lautenberg Frank D New Jersey 202-224-3224 202-228-4054
Senator Levin Carl D Michigan 202-224-6221 202-224-1388
Senator Lieberman Joseph ID Connecticut 202-224-4041 202-224-9750
Senator Lugar Richard R Indiana 202-224-4814 202-228-0360
Senator Martinez Mel R Florida 202-224-3041 202-228-5171
Senator McCain John R Arizona 202-224-2235 202-228-2862
Senator McConnell Mitch R Kentucky 202-224-2541 202-224-2499
Senator Menendez Robert D New Jersey 202-224-4744 202-228-2197
Senator Merkley Jeff D Oregon 202-224-3753 202-228-3997
Senator Mikulski Barbara D Maryland 202-224-4654 202-224-8858
Senator Murkowski Lisa R Alaska 202-224-6665 202-224-5301
Senator Nelson Bill D Florida 202-224-5274 202-228-2183
Senator Reed Jack D Rhode Island 202-224-4642 202-224-4680
Senator Risch Jim R Idaho 202-224-2752 202-224-2573
Senator Roberts Pat R Kansas 202-224-4774 202-224-3514
Senator Sanders Bernie I Vermont 202-224-5141 202-228-0776
Senator Schumer Charles D New York 202-224-6542 202-228-3027
Senator Sessions Jeff R Alabama 202-224-4124 202-224-3149
Senator Shaheen Jeanne D New Hampshire 202-224-2841 202-228-3194
Senator Shelby Richard R Alabama 202-224-5744 202-224-3416
Senator Snowe Olympia R Maine 202-224-5344 202-224-1946
Senator Specter Arlen R Pennsylvania 202-224-4254 202-228-1229
Senator Thune John R South Dakota 202-224-2321 202-228-5429
Senator Udall Mark D Colorado 202-224-5941 202-224-6471
Senator Udall Tom D New Mexico 202-224-6621 202-228-3261
Senator Vacant Vacant Minnesota 202-224-5641 202-224-1152
Senator Vitter David R Louisiana 202-224-4623 202-228-5061
Senator Voinovich George R Ohio 202-224-3353 202-228-1382
Senator Warner Mark D Virginia 202-224-2023 202-224-6295
Senator Whitehouse Sheldon Rhode Island 202-224-2921 202-228-6362
Senator Wicker Roger R Mississippi 202-224-6253 202-228-0378
Senator Wyden Ron D Oregon 202-224-5244 202-228-2717

Please phone (leave a message if you can) but probably not, its worth the try. Fax and send to the web page email because they may see it , they all have laptops sitting in front of them.

Thanks for your help I really appreciate it. WE MUST KILL THIS BILL.

Dear Senator Cornyn, liars don't care when they get caught in a lie, they just make up more lies and deny.

Honestly, I hope the MSM wakes up about their media darling Obama.

Dixie