Tea Part Movement ‘instrumental in derailing’ Obamacare effort
Hoekstra: “I think if the tea party movement had not existed, it’s very possible that we would have had healthcare passed already, and the president would be trumpeting the fact that he had passed national healthcare. I think the tea party movement has been instrumental in derailing that effort. I just hope they continue to be active, involved and successful over the coming days and weeks.”
Rep. Pete Hoekstra tells Newsmax that, if it weren’t for the tea party movement, President Obama and the Democrats would likely have already passed their “terrible” healthcare reform plan.
The Michigan Republican also warns that. if the Democrats circumvent the filibuster process and ram the plan through Congress, it will spark a tremendous outpouring of “anger and frustration” from the American people.
And Hoekstra says he has introduced legislation to enable tea party activists and others to recall members of the U.S. House and Senate.
Editor’s Note: See the Newsmax.TV interview with Rep. Pete Hoekstra click here
In an exclusive interview with Newsmax.TV, Hoekstra was asked whether House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats will get the votes they need to pass the healthcare reform plan.
“I think there’s a lot of uncertainty about what’s going to happen with this bill,” replied Hoekstra, who was elected in 1992 and is leaving the House to run for governor in Michigan this year.
“It’s amazing. We don’t know what’s going to be in the bill. This is a bill that is fundamentally going to change one-sixth of the economy. It’s an economic policy but it’s also a social policy. This bill will fundamentally change the way that the federal government views abortion.
“This bill, if it becomes law, will put the federal government firmly on the side of providing funding for abortion as a medically necessary procedure. It is a huge shift in public policy.
“I don’t think they’ve got the votes right now. I think the more they play with policy and procedures and process, the more unlikely it becomes that this bill becomes law.”
Hoekstra said tea party activists are “a huge part” of the healthcare reform debate.
“The whole healthcare process is fueling the tea parties because they see Washington as being arrogant and out of step with where they want to go,” he says.
“Whether it’s about what’s going on with healthcare or uncontrolled spending, the tea party is definitely having an influence on public policy today. It will also have a major impact on the elections in November.
“I think if the tea party movement had not existed, it’s very possible that we would have had healthcare passed already, and the president would be trumpeting the fact that he had passed national healthcare. I think the tea party movement has been instrumental in derailing that effort. I just hope they continue to be active, involved and successful over the coming days and weeks.”
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