Sen. Thune: Democrats' Radical Spending Bill Places Job-Based Health Care Coverage at Risk

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota, issued the following opening remarks:

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U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) this week participated in a Senate Finance Committee hearing on the current and future role of federal programs in health insurance coverage in America. Thune discussed the long-term consequences of Democrats' radical spending package and how it could jeopardize millions of Americans' job-based health care coverage. Thune also criticized the lack of Hyde Amendment protections on expanded Affordable Care Act subsidies. Without these protections, federal funds could be used for taxpayer-financed abortion services.

Thune's opening remarks below:

"I think this looks like maybe the only hearing we're likely to have an opportunity where this committee can engage in a public forum to discuss what are the sweeping policy changes and massive expansion of government that Democrats have embarked upon.

"I think it should be noted that even for bills that resulted in a partisan outcome, this committee has always followed regular order, and debated and voted on amendments.

"And I think it's a shame that after promises of bipartisanship and cooperation, even here today, we are facing policies that are fundamentally changing the tax code, affecting the economy, and the way consumers access health coverage on a completely partisan basis.

"The American public ought to be included in that conversation and that to me suggests that we ought to be having a process that includes regular order, hearings, and a markup."