Senator John Cornyn Weekly Republican Address 09/12/09 VIDEO FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT

Senator John Cornyn Weekly Republican Address 09/12/09 VIDEO, FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT as provided by his office:

"Hi, I'm Senator John Cornyn of Texas.

"Eight years ago, the American people experienced the worst terrorist attacks in our history. On September 11, 2001, thousands of innocent people lost their lives in the fields of Pennsylvania, and in the ruins of the Pentagon and the fallen towers of the World Trade Center. This year and every year, we honor those we lost on 9-11. And our hearts go out to all of those who remember that day as both a national tragedy - and a personal tragedy.

Senator John Cornyn

"The terrorists who attacked us on 9-11 enjoyed safe haven in Afghanistan - and that's why winning in Afghanistan remains so important. "The Afghan people, like the American people, are tired of war. But they do not want their country returned to the control of religious extremists. And neither do we. "President Obama has renewed America's commitment to Afghanistan. He has the right civilian and military leadership in place. These leaders are developing a campaign plan based on the successful 'surge' strategy that worked in Iraq.

"Our troops and their commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve broad bipartisan support. And they will have it.

"Republicans will support the deployment of additional troops - if requested by our commanders - as well as the resources our troops need to be successful as they attempt to deny safe haven to al Qaeda. Republicans will not waver in our support for our forces in the field - or President Obama - as he fulfills his responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief to protect the American people.

"On Afghanistan, President Obama has shown the kind of leadership he promised during the campaign - he's built consensus and earned bipartisan support.

"Yet on health care reform, he's taken a much different approach. He's paid lip service to bipartisanship while rejecting the ideas that would build bipartisan support. As a result, the President has alienated not only independents and divided his own party, but Republicans as well. And, he's ignored the clear wishes of the American people.

"So the President gave another big speech this week to try to turn his numbers around. But instead of talking, the President and Congressional Democrats should spend a little more time listening.

"At town halls and public events across the nation, the American people are asking the right questions about health care reform. They're asking:

- How can Washington lower health care costs by spending trillions of dollars more over the next ten years?

- How can Washington cut $500 billion from Medicare without reducing benefits for seniors?

- And how can a new government plan keep insurers honest when our existing entitlement programs are riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse?

"The President told us Wednesday night that 'there remain some significant details to be ironed out.' He wasn't kidding.

"The most significant detail is the cost of his plan - and its impact on our long-term budget deficit. When you start counting in 2013, the first full year of implementation, the cost of the House bill comes to about $2.4 trillion over 10 years, according to the Senate Budget Committee.

"So instead of a top-down plan that will bust the budget, President Obama should work with Republicans on a bottom-up solution that the American people can support.

"Republicans want to save Medicare and Medicaid from bankruptcy by offering more choices to beneficiaries and by making providers compete for their business. Republicans want to expand access and lower the costs of private insurance by expanding competition at the state level. Republicans also want common-sense medical liability reform that eliminates junk lawsuits against doctors and hospitals. We need to put an end to jackpot justice and frivolous lawsuits, as well as the practice of defensive medicine.

"By listening to the American people and working across the aisle, President Obama can deliver common-sense health care reforms - reforms that will lower costs and expand access to care.

"Thank you very much for listening. May God bless you and your family, and may God continue to bless the United States of America." ###

Republican Response Health Care Dr. Charles Boustany 09/09/09 TEXT VIDEO

Boustany Delivers Republican Address Following President's Remarks to a Joint Session of Congres Sep 9 2009

WASHINGTON, DC - Below is the full text (as prepared) of tonight’s Republican address on health care, delivered by Dr. Charles Boustany (R-LA) following President Obama’s speech to a Joint Session of Congress:

“Good evening. I’m Dr. Charles Boustany, and I’m proud to serve the people of Louisiana’s Seventh Congressional District. I’m also a heart surgeon with more than 20 years of experience, during which I saw first-hand the need for lowering health care costs.

Congressman Charles W. Boustany Jr., M.D.

“Republicans are pleased that President Obama came to the Capitol tonight. We agree much needs to be done to lower the cost of health care for all Americans. On that goal, Republicans are ready – and we’ve been ready – to work with the President for common-sense reforms that our nation can afford. “Afford is an important word. Our country is facing many challenges. The cost of health care is rising. Federal spending is soaring. We’re piling huge debt on our children. And families and small businesses are struggling through a jobless recovery, with more than 2.4 million private-sector jobs lost since February.

“It’s clear the American people want health care reform, but they want their elected leaders to get it right. Most Americans wanted to hear the President tell Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Reid and the rest of Congress that it’s time to start over on a common-sense, bipartisan plan focused on lowering the cost of health care while improving quality. That’s what I heard over the past several months in talking to thousands of my constituents.

“Replacing your family’s current health care with government-run health care is not the answer. In fact, it’ll make health care much more expensive. That’s not just my personal diagnosis as a doctor or a Republican; it’s the conclusion of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office – the neutral scorekeeper that determines the cost of major bills.

“I read the bill Democrats passed through committee in July. It creates 53 new government bureaucracies, adds hundreds of billions to our national debt, and raises taxes on job-creators by $600 billion. And, it cuts Medicare by $500 billion, while doing virtually nothing to make the program better for our seniors.

“The President had a chance tonight to take government-run health care off the table. Unfortunately, he didn’t do it.

“We can do better, with a targeted approach that tackles the biggest problems. Here are four important areas where we can agree, right now:

“One, all individuals should have access to coverage, regardless of preexisting conditions.

“Two, individuals, small businesses and other groups should be able to join together to get health insurance at lower prices, the same way large businesses and labor unions do.

“Three, we can provide assistance to those who still cannot access a doctor.

“And, four, insurers should be able to offer incentives for wellness care and prevention – something particularly important to me. I operated on too many people who could have avoided surgery if they’d simply made healthier choices earlier in life.

“We do have ideas the President hasn’t agreed with. We’re grateful the President mentioned medical liability reform, and we hope he’s serious. We need to establish tough liability reform standards, encourage speedy resolution of claims, and deter junk lawsuits that drive up the cost of care. Real reform must do this.

“Let’s also talk about letting families and businesses buy insurance across state lines. I and many other Republicans believe that that will provide real choice and competition to lower the cost of health insurance. Unfortunately, the President disagrees.

“You can read more about all these reforms at healthcare.gop.gov. These are common-sense reforms we can achieve right away – without destroying jobs, exploding the deficit, rationing care, or taking away the freedom American families cherish.

“This Congress can pass meaningful reform soon to reduce some of the fear and anxiety families are feeling in these very difficult times. Working together in a bipartisan way, we can truly lower the cost of health care while improving quality for the American people.

“I’m Dr. Charles Boustany. Thanks for listening.” #####