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Rep. Harry Teague said late Friday he will break ranks with his fellow New
Mexico Democrats and oppose a landmark health care bill expected for a vote on
the House floor as soon as Saturday.
Reps.
Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan, also Democrats, told the Journal Friday they will
vote for the legislation.
Teague, a
first-term lawmaker from southern New Mexico, represents the most
conservative congressional district in the state. He has wrestled for months
over whether to support a slew of health care initiatives put forth by
President Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other prominent Democrats.
In a
statement, Teague said:
"Let me be clear, I believe we need to reform our health
care system. I personally know how not having health insurance can impact
individuals and families. Growing up, both my parents worked, but we
still couldn't afford health insurance. So when my parents got sick, I
had to drop out of high school and go to work to help support our family.
Those were difficult times and why as a small business owner I worked hard to
provide affordable health insurance options to my employees and their families.
I had hoped to have an opportunity to vote for a health
insurance reform bill that would guarantee every American access to affordable,
quality health care, and rein in the skyrocketing health care costs that are
keeping people and businesses out of the system and driving up our national
debt. Unfortunately, the current bill before Congress falls short of that
and I am left with no choice but to vote against it.
This bill doesn't do enough to rein in insurance
companies. It mandates millions of people and businesses to buy health
insurance, but does little to make insurance companies control consumer
costs. I am also concerned that American taxpayers will end up footing a
nearly $900 billion tab for a bill that doesn't do enough to 'bend the cost
curve' in a way that permanently reduces both costs and the national debt."
House
Democratic leaders planned the vote for Saturday, but signaled the vote could
be delayed because it was not clear they had the 218 yea votes needed to pass
the bill.
More to come in tomorrow's Journal. |