Buchanan: Republicans, Democrats want open debate on health care

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan says that in less than 24 hours, more than 100 House members, Republicans and Democrats, have co-sponsored his resolution to open health care talks to the public. Buchanan’s resolution, H. Res. 847 would put the House on record against secret, closed-door deals on health care reform legislation.

“Democracy thrives best when the people are fully involved and engaged,” said Buchanan, R-Sarasota, on the floor of the House. “I have introduced a resolution demanding that the critical decisions made on the sweeping health care reform bill now before Congress be conducted under the watchful eye of the American people.”

Buchanan noted, “In the past, massive legislative measures have been written in the middle-of-the-night by a handful of members and staff, and then quickly passed into law before the American people have a chance to even see what the final version looks like, let alone determine how they feel about it.”

You can read Buchanan's resolution here.

Watch Buchanan's speech here: