Nat sent this in:

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -  Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Aurora) released the following statement today in advance of the expected Christmas Eve vote on passage of H.R. 3590, the final Senate version of the Democrats’ government takeover of health care: 

“The taxpayers of Colorado deserve better than to have their two Senators vote for a bill that will be passed only because of Harry Reid dolling out kickbacks, carve-outs, and sweetheart deals for more than a dozen Democrat Senators.  It’s shameful that Democrat leaders in the Senate are buying votes and making state by state exemptions throughout the bill that Coloradans will have to pay for.  I call on our Senators to do the right thing – reject this bill and reject the backroom political deals that have paved the way for its passage.”

“Not only is this Senate bill going to create massive new mandates, raise taxes, cause people to lose their current insurance, and cut care for seniors, but now thanks to Harry Reid’s last minute deals Colorado taxpayers will be paying for the $300 million “Louisiana Purchase,” the $100 million Nebraska “Cornhusker Kickback,” Vermont’s $600 million Medicaid bonus and a slew of sweetheart deals for other states.” 

“It makes no sense to endorse this kind of blatant and shameless vote buying, especially to pass a bill that is so poisonous.”

Pepper sent this in:

(Columbia, S.C) – Early this morning, the Senate voted to advance a massive government takeover of health care.  Two more procedural votes will take place this week and reports indicate that the final Senate vote is set for 7:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve.  Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) is urging the American people to sound the alarm and make their voices heard between now and the critical Christmas Eve vote.

“A historic vote on a government takeover of health care will take place on Christmas Eve.  ‘Tis the season for the American people to make their voices heard.  Hardworking taxpayers, America’s seniors, and small business owners have 4 days to help sound the alarm about this government monstrosity.

“Even though communities across the country face double-digit unemployment figures this holiday season, Congress seems adamant on delivering another lump of coal with this job-killing health care bill.   Brokered in backrooms and then rammed through for a quick vote, the Senate bill includes $518 billion in new job-killing taxes that will impact small businesses and individuals.

“In addition to harming small business owners and families, the government health care takeover will also leave states like South Carolina high and dry with unfunded Medicaid mandates.  However states like Nebraska, where Senator Reid needed to buy off votes, will have their Medicaid tab picked up by the federal government.  This is Washington politics at its worst and I urge the American people to help scrap this backroom bill.”

Information on Nebraska’s Medicaid kickback can be found here.