Washington, DC – Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference, issued the following statement today in support of a request by C-SPAN for the Democrats in Congress to open their health care negotiations to the public, instead of conducting them behind closed doors.

“As a matter of principle, negotiations for this unprecedented legislation that will transform one-sixth of the U.S. economy and impact the lives of every single American should be open to the American people.  Given the tremendous amount of concern over this legislation, it is unacceptable to shut the American people out and steamroll a bill through Congress without the proper scrutiny.”

“During the 2008 campaign, President Obama repeatedly promised that health care reform negotiations would be public and broadcast on C-SPAN.  The American people deserve openness, transparency, and accountability, not more secret backroom deals.”

“Instead of enacting a budget-busting takeover of the health care system that will increase premiums and reduce access for hard-working Americans, we should hit the reset button, bring all sides back to the negotiating table, and implement a step-by-step common sense approach to reforming health care without adding to our crushing national debt.”