Republican Third District House candidates rapped the passage of the health care bill.

Chuck Fleischmann said, “Under the cover of darkness, the liberal leadership in Washington has decided that government should be responsible for 1/6 of our economy. They are now in charge of home mortgages, the auto industry, student loans, and health care. Enough is enough. In a little over a year we have seen the Obama Administration grow the size of the government in unimaginable ways. I have pledged to work to repeal ObamaCare when I am elected in November, and I reaffirm that commitment now more than ever.

"Through multiple accounting tricks and gimmicks the Democratic leadership has made it appear this legislation will reduce the deficit, but when you strip away all of the smoke and mirrors this bill will actually add $562 billion to the deficit. We must hold them accountable in November for their backroom deals and their parlor games. The growth of government must be stopped, and true reform must be enacted.

"This bills passage was also a blow to the fight for the dignity of every human life. I agree with Mike Pence, who said earlier today, ‘It is disappointing to see members of Congress exchange 30 years of pro-life law for a piece of paper from the most pro-abortion President in American history. But we are going to stay in this fight.’ I will continue to fight for the right of every human life, and will work to let the American people know the truth about the funding for abortion that is provided in this health care legislation.

"Governor Bredesen told us several months ago that the Senate Health Care Bill would add $1 billion in costs to TennCare over five years. Now TennCare officials estimate that another $200 million will be added by virtue of the House changes that will now add physician reimbursement fees, bringing the latest estimate of total cost to about $1.5 billion. As he said, this legislation is the ‘mother of all unfunded mandates.’

"In November, we must hold the liberal leadership in Washington accountable for not listening to the American people and work to repeal this government takeover of health care. Government became much bigger with this vote, which means individual liberties became much smaller. It is saddening to see so many legislators ignore the voice of the people and rejoice in this process, but I remain strong in my commitment to fight for the American people and the freedom our Founding Fathers intended for us to have."

Art Rhodes said, “I am deeply disappointed — I would say even disgusted — that the House has passed a health care bill that will change the direction of our country for the worse. Although the great majority of the American people called on Congress to take a different approach, the current leadership of the House, in their own arrogance, decided to plow ahead to pass a bill that will negatively impact a sixth of our economy.

"While no one doubts the need to reform our health care system, the biggest debate centers on who will pay for that care, and how. Although even Members of Congress are trying to figure out what is in the bill they just voted on, published reports suggest that the bill will give 19 million Americans annual subsidies averaging $6,000 to help pay premiums and other insurance charges. This is unprecedented government involvement in private health policies. However, the question remains that if the government is going to pay $6,000 per person it is covering, will coverage for everyone else really become more affordable under this massive overhaul of our health care system? I think not.

"Further, safeguards were not included in the bill to assure that federal funds will not be used for abortions, making a mockery out of the supposedly “pro life” representatives who voted for it. An Executive Order does not have the same effect as a law.

"Finally, it is inconceivable that some Members of Congress supported the bill believing that it would ultimately lead to lowering the federal deficit. While the Congressional Budget Office suggested that there could be savings of more than $138 billion over 10 years, those calculations had so many “ifs” that no right-thinking person could ever believe that they would come true.

"It is time that we cleaned the House — and elect statesmen, not politicians. It is time that we elected people with proven leadership and values that we can trust."

Robin Smith said, “I condemn both the process and the result of today’s action on health care. Few Americans would ever believe their government would take action to seize 1/6 of our nation’s economy, let alone do so by cutting backroom deals with money directed into districts as payoffs for votes. In corporate America, it would be called bribery and extortion. In Washington, it’s called business-as-usual for the Pelosi-led Congress. America deserves and wants better.

"In their fanatical drive to tighten their grip on our freedoms, Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama have sentenced our people to rationed care, taxpayer funding of abortions, cuts in benefits to our seniors, higher taxes and turned their back on the legacy of liberty this nation represents.

"Throughout the summer of 2009 and into this year, Americans protested, pleaded, turned out in town halls, voted democrats out of office and made their message clear: stop this. Each time, Speaker Pelosi waved her hand, dismissed the concerns of the American people and forced this abomination on an unwilling public. There are few moments in this history of this republic where the people and their government are so starkly at odds. The arrogance on display during this process should be troubling for all Americans.

"I am on record as committing to work for the repeal of the current bill. The task of repealing and replacing this mistake begins tonight. As Tennesseans come together and unite behind the cause of reversing this travesty, we also unite behind the cause of restoring a government that listens to the people, hears their voices and honors our democracy. Until Nancy Pelosi is gone, this out of touch and arrogant Congress will continue to trample the liberties we hold dear. As the next Congressman for the Third District, I will proudly work toward a day when we again have a government as good as our people."

Tim Gobble said, "“The passage of this bill leads to the government takeover of one-sixth of our national economy. This bill will severely compound our out-of-control debt. I’ve always said that raising taxes cannot cover this problem, instead we must reduce spending.

"Our national debt is the most significant issue of our time because it impacts everything from economic growth to national security. If the people of the Third District send me to Congress, I will work hard to repeal this piece of truly destructive legislation and replace it with a fiscally responsible alternative.”

Van Irion said, "The bill is unconstitutional. Once you realize that, all the details don’t matter. Congress simply has no authority under the Constitution to pass this legislation.

"This bill will kill jobs. We’re in the middle of a serious economic crisis and this congress is continuing to spend money we don’t have. Bad policies supported by big spenders in both parties have dug the American people into a financial Grand Canyon. Now this bill will force more companies out of the U.S., leading to even higher deficits and more unemployment

"Each day Americans are waking up and realizing they're not seeing the kind of government they want or the kind of government that the Founding Fathers designed.

"I encourage Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey to continue to work hard to keep Obamacare out of Tennessee. I hope to have his support when I introduce legislation in congress to repeal Obamacare."