Diaz-Balart Votes Against Government Takeover of Health Care

WASHINGTON, DC- Today Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) voted against the Obama/Pelosi government takeover of health care and made the following statement:

“I strongly believe that America needs health care reform, but I cannot cast a vote for a bill that will take our country down the path of bankruptcy.

This bill raids Medicare and Social Security in order to create a new government entitlement, raises taxes on our families, increases the cost of insurance premiums, kills jobs, and raises taxes on small businesses, while increasing our national debt and deficit. Our children and grandchildren will be left to pay the price.

Today Democrat leadership abused and manipulated the legislative process in order to force an eventual government takeover of health care upon the American people. They drafted this legislation in secret, loading it with backroom deals for Members of their choice and prioritizing the needs of special interests, not the American people.

The American people deserve health care reform that will increase access, improve quality, and lower premiums. Instead, this ill-conceived legislation will give way to an eventual government takeover of health care. It will bankrupt our country and its negative effects will be felt for generations to come.

There is nothing more sacred than our freedom and democracy. Those principles are what make America the greatest country, and I will not vote to jeopardize the freedom, prosperity and opportunity of future generations.”