Rather than Speaking for Nebraskans, Lee Terry Literally Spoke for Special Interests During Health Care Debate
Nov 16, 01:04 PM CST
For Immediate Release: November 16, 2009
For more information, contact: Jim Rogers, 402-434-2180
Lee Terry (R – Special Interests)
Omaha, NE – Congressman Lee Terry is officially using his place in Congress to fight for special interests over the needs of Nebraska families. It was recently revealed that during the health care debate, statements by more than a dozen lawmakers were ghostwritten, in whole or in part, by Washington lobbyists for one of the world’s largest biotechnology companies. One of those lawmakers was Lee Terry.
“Over and over again, Lee Terry has put special interests above Nebraska interests. Now he’s literally reading off their script on the House floor,” said Jim Rogers, Executive Director of the Nebraska Democratic Party. “Behavior like this is why, after a decade in the House, Roll Call rated him 321 out of 435 on effectiveness – in the bottom 26%. Lee Terry has chosen to speak for lobbyists, and now Nebraskans are looking for someone new to finally speak for them in Congress.”
Lee Terry is no stranger to the special interests currently fighting against all attempts at health care reform. In fact, these anti-reform special interests one of Terry’s largest backers, having given over $375,000 to his campaign war chest.
Background:
Statements by more than a dozen lawmakers were ghostwritten, in whole or in part, by Washington lobbyists working for Genentech, one of the world’s largest biotechnology companies. [New York Times, November 15, 2009].
oIn nearly identical words, three Republicans — Representatives K. Michael Conaway of Texas, Lynn Jenkins of Kansas and Lee Terry of Nebraska — said they had criticized many provisions of the bill, and “rightfully so.”
oBut, each said, “I do believe the sections relating to the creation of a market for biosimilar products is one area of the bill that strikes the appropriate balance in providing lower cost options.”
Insurance Industry interests have donated $375,358 to Lee Terry’s campaign, making them his second largest backer after lawyers and law firms [Opensecrets.org]
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– by Lisa Olivares | Send this to a friend
