Pepper sent this in:

(Columbia, SC)  – Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) today released the following statement after Senator Harry Reid and other Senate Democrats voted to pass a government takeover of health care:

“Through backroom negotiations and sweetheart deals, Senator Reid today secured a government takeover of health care.  The American people deserve a better way of governing than this type of shady favor-exchanging that has plagued Congress’s halls for too long. 

“For the better part of 2009, hardworking taxpayers and small business owners made it perfectly clear that a government monstrosity is not what they had in mind for real health care reform in America.  In 2,733 pages, there are provisions that have not all been fully reviewed or debated.  Clearly the implications of Senator Reid’s backroom negotiations will not be known for quite some time. 

“What we do know is that the health care takeover will sever the doctor-patient relationship, drive up health care costs, and cripple small businesses at a time when they are trying to stay financially afloat.  I urge Congressional leaders to consider Republican proposals that make health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans before the final conference committee version is considered.”