Congressman Bachus Votes against Government Run Health Care Bill

WASHINGTON (November 7) - Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) voted against Speaker Nancy Pelosi's government-run health care legislation on the House floor today.

Bachus voted no on the bill, H.R. 3962, when it was brought up for a vote.

Bachus voted for a Republican substitute that would make health coverage more accessible and affordable without depriving Americans of choice or worsening the deficit.

Bachus also voted for the Stupak-Pitts amendment to prevent any taxpayer funds from being to pay for abortions under a government health care system.

Congressman Bachus' stated his opposition to the Speaker's bill on the House floor.  The text of his remarks follow.  To view his speech, click here [1].

When I joined the Army, they sent me to Fort Lewis, Washington.  One of the first things we did there was to get in line to get our hair cut.  We noticed on the wall there were pictures of four different haircuts and they told us to choose one of those haircuts, get a number, and give it to the barber.  We thought this was going to be pretty good so we all gave him a number for the longest haircut.  We all gave our numbers to the barber and he cut all our hair off, every one of us. The numbers meant absolutely nothing.  

When we got back to the barracks, we knew who was in charge.  We knew who was making the decisions.  It wasn't us.  The Army was making all the decisions.  Just like thinking you're going to get the haircut you choose, we're promised the right to choose under this bill.  But the reality is, just like the Army, when the government is in charge, you're not.  

This bill is about a new government bureaucracy making choices for us.  We're Americans.  America is about freedom.  Freedom is about making choices.            

Given the choice, I will always place my faith in the individual and not the government.