Congress Exempts Itself From Public Plan

Jillian Bandes | July 31, 2009 1:08 PM

A handful of Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee proposed an amendment to the health care bill that would've required the President, Vice President, and all Members of Congress to automatically be enrolled in a public option if the legislation passes. Is anyone really surprised it didn't pass, because of a strict party line vote? From one of the amendment's key sponsors, Rep. Sue Myrick (N.C.):

This shows that the majority is more concerned with pushing through a bill for political gain than with considering how it will affect the American people...We’re taking away the choice of the American people with regard to their health care, and by not being allowed to even consider this amendment, we are telling the American people that the rules don’t apply to the people who make them. It isn’t right.