Rep. Boehner Falsely Claims Republicans Have Been "Ready To Work" With Democrats On Health Care

Rep. Boehner Falsely Claims Republicans Have Been "Ready To Work" With Democrats On Health Care

House Minority Leader John Boehner

"I'm House Republican Leader John Boehner. At the beginning of this year, I told President Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi that Republicans would be ready to work with them whenever possible to address the nation's biggest challenges. I also said that where there are differences, it was our obligation as a party to explain to the American people how we would do things better." [Boehner Release, 10/31/09]

Republicans Have Tried To Kill Reform Every Step Of The Way

Rather Than Proposing Solutions, Rep. Blunt Sought To Focus On Attacking Democrats' "Really Bad Piece Of Work."  As reported by The Hill, Rep. Roy Blunt said: "Our bill is never going to get to the floor, so why confuse the focus? We clearly have principles; we could have language, but why start diverting attention from this really bad piece of work they've got to whatever we're offering right now?" [The Hill, 7/22/09, via St. Louis Today, 7/23/09]

Sen. DeMint Vowed To Defeat Reform To "Break" Obama.  Sen. Jim DeMint said, "If we're able to stop Obama on [health care reform], it will be his Waterloo. It will break him and we will show that we can, along with the American people, begin to push those freedom solutions that work in every area of our society." [ABC News, 7/20/09] *AUDIO*

Sen. Grassley: "I Take Pride With Being An Obstructionist." As reported by Politico, "Grassley had words for both parties. 'I take pride with being an obstructionist,' he said, if that means scuttling a public option that could lead to a single-payer system." [Politico, 7/6/09]

• Grassley Vowed To Oppose His Own Bipartisan Legislation Unless It Was Backed By Republicans. When asked by NBC's Chuck Todd if he would be "willing to be one of just three or four Senate Republicans that support an eventual deal if you get what you want out of the Senate Finance Committee," Sen. Grassley replied, "Certainly not. And I told the president that a week ago Thursday and I told Max Baucus that over a period of three or four months, so I'm not telling you anything new. In fact, let me build on what you said and why I say that I wouldn't be. I'm negotiating for Republicans and if I can't negotiate something that gets more than four Republicans, I'm not a very good representative of my party." [ThinkProgress, 8/17/09]

Sen. Kyl: "I Think His Concern About Having Almost All Republicans Opposing That Kind Of Approach Is A Valid One." As reported by Politico, "Grassley has been under pressure from top Republicans to not give the Democrats bipartisan support if most GOP senators can't support a bill. 'I think his concern about having almost all Republicans opposing that kind of approach is a valid one,' Kyl said." [Politico, 8/18/09]

Rep. Cole: "I'd Like To See The Democrats Go Home And Get Pounded On." As reported by The Hill, "'I'd rather go debate at home and see our members carry the message there, and frankly I'd like to see the Democrats go home and get pounded on,' said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), the former head of the House GOP campaign arm." [The Hill, 7/22/09, via St. Louis Today, 7/23/09]

Rather Than Propose Bipartisan Solutions, Republicans Stoke Fear Among Americans

Rep. Foxx Implied The Democratic Plan Would "Put Seniors In A Position Of Being Put To Death By Their Government." While speaking on the floor of the House, Rep. Virginia Foxx said the Republican plan would "make sure we bring down the cost of health care for all Americans and that ensures affordable access for all Americans and is pro-life because it will not put seniors in a position of being put to death by their government." [Foxx Floor Statement, 7/28/09]

Rep. Broun Said The Public Option "Is Gonna Kill People." While speaking on the floor of the House, Rep. Paul Broun said, "that's exactly what's going on in Canada and Great Britain today.  They don't have the appreciation of life, as we do in our society, evidently.  And, um.  Dr. Roe, a lot of people are gonna die, this program of 'government option' is being touted as being this panacea, the savior of allowing people to have quality health care at an affordable price-  is gonna kill people." [Broun Floor Statement, 7/10/09]

Rep. Steve King: "There It Looks To Me Like They Are Preparing To Fund Illegal Aliens." During an interview with RightWingNews.com, Rep. Steve King said, "Well nothing is certain, of course, but with the language that's there it looks to me like they are preparing to fund illegal aliens -- even though they have some language that says that they won't be funding them. It's got to be more specific than general language in there." [Right Wing News; 8/3/09; emphasis added]

Rep. Trent Franks: "His Health Care Plan Will Be The Largest Expansion Of Abortion In The United States." During an appearance on Fox News, Rep. Trent Franks said, "one of the side issues that nobody pays any attention to, this health care plan will be the largest expansion of abortion in the United States since Roe vs. Wade only this time it'll be paid for by taxpayer dollars and people don't... see that as health care." [Fox News, 8/9/09]