The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government – lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.
The Democratic-controlled House has narrowly passed landmark health care reform legislation, handing President Barack Obama a hard won victory on his signature domestic priority.
Republicanswere nearly unanimous in opposing the plan that would expand coverageto tens of millions of Americans who lack it and place tough newrestrictions on the insurance industry.
The220-215 vote late Saturday cleared the way for the Senate to begin along-delayed debate on the issue that has come to overshadow all othersin Congress.
A triumphant Speaker Nancy Pelosi compared the legislation to the passage of Social Security in 1935 and Medicare 30 years later.
Obama,who went to Capitol Hill earlier on Saturday to lobby waveringDemocrats, said in a statement after the vote, “I look forward tosigning it into law by the end of the year.”
“It provides coverage for 96 percent of Americans. It offerseveryone, regardless of health or income, the peace of mind that comesfrom knowing they will have access to affordable health care when theyneed it,” said Rep. John Dingell, the 83-year-old Michigan lawmaker who has introduced national health insurance in every Congress since succeeding his father in 1955.
But minority Republicans cataloged their objections across hours of debate on the 1,990-page, $1.2 trillion legislation.
“We are going to have a complete government takeover of our health care system faster than you can say, `this is making me sick,'” said Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich.