Rep. Shimkus: Taking time to read the whole health bill
John Shimkus
WASHINGTON — Rep. John Shimkus., had an update for us today on his progress in reading the 1,990-page Democratic health-care reform bill: He’s on page 1,219.
What he has read thus far hasn’t changed his mind.
“This public option is really a pathway to a one-payer system,” said Shimkus, R-Collinsville., referring to what truly would be government-run insurance.
“That’s why there will be very little, if any, Republican support if this bill reaches the floor,” he added.
Shimkus said he read about 200 pages flying to Washington today and that he is determined to get through the entire fat document.
“The public demands that we read these things. I heard this message and I wanted to do that,” he said. “If you’re going to lead a regular life and try to read this bill, it takes a little longer.”
Which gets to the question of the bill’s length. In their refrain about opposing the House Democratic-drawn legislation, Republicans cite those 1,990 pages.
During a news conference today with Shimkus, Political Fix asked him what he thought would be an appropriate length for legislation that revamps the American health insurance system.
“I can’t answer a question like that. Come on,” he said, responding with a question about a good length for a news story.
Speaking of length, House Republicans have put together a draft health-care bill that is not nearly as long nor as far-reaching as the Democratic proposal. For instance, it doesn’t prevent insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing health issues, as Democrats intend to do.
The Republicans’ draft comes in at 230 pages according to the Associated Press, but it apparently isn’t done.
Kudos to Congressman Shimkus for actually reading the thing. If every Congressman showed this much diligence with every bill, there’d be a lot less sewage spewing out of Washington.
While I am for a public option and don’t agree with Congressman Shimkus, I do respect him for taking the time to read the whole thing. I must say it is sad how legislation (from both parties) has evolved to such bloated proportions over the history of America. Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t the Bill of Rights well under 1000 WORDS?…..Maybe we should have a rule that says any legislation must be hand written in quill-pen by the legislators themselves. I’ll bet THAT would put an end to 1,990 page bills being written.
Thank you Mr Shimkus for leading by example in the world of politics
congratulations to John Shimkus for reading the bill. If any representative in favor of this bill has not read it, they should refrain from voting for it. They may like the “idea” behind the bill, but until they read and understand the details, how can anyone vote for it?
We pay representatives and senators a handsome salary. They “work” three days and take four off. They must have a few moments of their time to read bills, right?
Mr. Shimkus, take the floor of the house and demand your fellow representative read the bill, every word, in detail. Then quiz them on what is in the bill. I bet most would fail a simple quiz.
I think our entire Constitution is only 18 pages long.
I guess the framers back then were able to say things in a much more eloquent and direct way than our politicians of today.
snarkoff, et al, so the bill is 1990 pages;
how long was the Medicare Part D bill which the GOP passed with no funding (and lied about its cost)?
how long were the tax break bills signed off on by the GOP and passed by reconciliation, with the tie-breaking vote of war criminal Veep Dick Cheney needed for passage?
Besides, Shimkus is waiting for a voice from above to tell him its OK to skip the last 300 plus pages, so don’t prematurely congratulate the slacker for not finishing the job.
You are suppose to read it before voting!!!
That is Billions and Billions of dollars over the next ten years.
Make sure you know what your voting on.
Dear republicans and democrats,… where was a 230 page, 219 page, or any page proposal while GWB was in office? I do not care if it is 9000 pages,… you are hired and paid extremely well by us the tax payers, read it, make changes where they are needed or cuts if seen fit. Do your JOB or get fired! If you look deeper into what happened the last election, Republicans were fired,… face it! Now, Shut up and do something (right). …, Supporter for integrity.