Rules Republicans Request Larger Venue for Healthcare Hearing

  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                    CONTACT:  Jo Maney (202-226-2006)

November 6, 2009                                                                  jo.maney@mail.house.gov

 

Rules Republicans Request Larger Venue for Health Care Hearing

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas, CA), Rules Committee Ranking Republican, was joined by the other Rules Committee Republicans today in requesting a larger venue for the Rules Committee hearing and markup on H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. The text of the letter sent to Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter is as follows:

Dear Madam Chairwoman -

Given the high level of interest in the health care reform efforts before the House, we are writing to request that you take urgent action to relocate today's hearing on H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for Americas Act, to a larger room, preferably the Capitol Visitor's Center hearing room.  There are numerous issues of concern to the public and the press, and amendments have been submitted in large numbers by both Democrats and Republicans.  It has become clear that since debate in the full House will be so limited, the Rules Committee hearing and markup process will be the focal point of interest.

While C-SPAN may be covering the hearing, that does not satisfy the need for the maximum amount of transparency and openness needed to give the American people faith in this process. It is our understanding that there could be as few as three seats allocated for the public.

Madam Chair, all members deserve to be heard on this issue at some point in this process.  It appears the Rules Committee hearing will be their only opportunity.  We respectfully request that you move our proceedings to a location better equipped to handle the tremendous public interest in this bill and this debate.

Sincerely,

David Dreier

Lincoln Diaz-Balart

Pete Sessions

Virginia Foxx

 

 

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