Bob CollinsThere’s a period at the beginning of session of the U.S. House when members make one-minute speeches to a near-empty chamber. It’s the daily “lightning round” of American issues.
Here’s today’s:
Rep. Joe Pitts, R-Pa., objects to what Hamas is teaching in its schools.
Rep. Steven Kagen, D-Wisc., advocates reform in health care.
Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., congratulates a teenage tennis player at the U.S. Open.
Rep. Betsy Markey, D-Co., congratulates Congress for passing an economic stimulus
Rep. Christopher Lee, R-NY, pays tribute to a soldier killed in Afghanistan.
Rep. John Yarmuth, D-KY, says people are frustrated that they’re not being heard and says it’s because of campaign contributions from big money.
Rep. Ted Poe, R-TX, notes the high attendance of people protesting Obama’s health care “These people don’t like the attitude that disagreement with government is frowned upon.” He says people object to the characterization of “these people as unAmerican.”
Speaking of viral:
Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-NC, says people with health care coverage don’t know what they’ve got.
Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mon., says Congress should adjourn for 30 days so the reps can “listen to real Americans” on health care.
Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, says people need health insurance.
Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., says the administration raised taxes by adding tariffs on tires from China.
Rep. John Hall, D-NY (former lead singer of Orleans) says health care must pass.
Rep. John Boozman, R-Ark., says proposed health care bill will force small businesses to close.
Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-NJ, says surging health care costs slow job growth.
Rep. Lamar Smith, R-TX., says 40 percent of medical practice suits are without merit.
Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., says people are mostly worked up over things that aren’t in the health care bill. He calls them “hallucinations.”
Rep. John Fleming, R-La., says health care reform plan will increase national debt.
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Tex., says it’s time for insurance companies “to come to the table, spending the millions they’re spending to spread falsehoods” and work out a plan on health care.
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-WV, who honors a police officer who was killed in the line of duty.
Rep. Steve Driehaus, D-Ohio, honors the late Cincinnati Pops conductor Erich Kunze.
Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., advocates public option in health care reform.
Rep. Paul Tonko, D-NY, pats himself on the back for passage of a wind energy bill.
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., says Democrats are calling everything a crisis. “We still don’t get it; the crisis is here in Washington,” he says.
Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-NY, recounts stories of problems with people who have pre-existing conditions.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-NY, says 1 of 5 adults lacks health insurance.
Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wis. recognizes 15th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act.
Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy, D-Ohio, says a woman who worked for GM and took early retirement, has found she’s lost her health care and her retirement savings.
Rep. Rush Holt, D-NY, says Americans are living sicker and dying younger.
And that’s today’s lightning round.
