From a National Republican Senatorial Committee release:

WASHINGTON – Democrat Senate hopeful U.S. Representative Charlie Melancon (D-LA) voted against a provision offered by Republican House Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) yesterday denouncing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for attempting to utilize the so-called “Slaughter Solution” in order to sidestep an up-or-down vote on the Democrats’ costly and contentious health care legislation this weekend.

Cantor offered the privileged resolution on the floor of the House last evening denouncing the Democrat Leadership’s deceptive use of the “Slaughter Solution.” While several of Melancon’s Democrat colleagues in the House voted with the Republicans in support of Cantor’s privileged resolution, Melancon voted with Pelosi instead.

According to CNS News: “The Slaughter Solution… would allow the 2,074-page Senate health care bill to be incorporated into the Rule for the reconciliation bill coming out of the Senate. If House members vote to pass the Rule for reconciliation they, in effect, pass the Senate health care bill without actually voting on the bill – they would instead vote on the reconciliation package.”

“Instead of standing up to Nancy Pelosi and condemning the so-called ‘Slaughter Solution,’ Melancon supported the Democrat leaders’ hyper-partisan maneuvers to sidestep an up-or-down vote on this contentious health care plan, which will lead to higher taxes, increase health care premiums, and cut Medicare for Louisiana seniors,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokeswoman Amber Marchand. “Melancon might try to pretend that he’s an ‘independent’ voice in Washington, but when push came to shove yesterday, he stood with Pelosi in support of her divisive tactics.”

According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Democrats’ health care legislation will cost Americans $2.4 trillion in order to “save” $130 billion.

In addition, the CBO report explained that the Democrats’ proposal will:

· Result in a 10 percent to 13 percent increase in individual health care premiums;
· Lead to $644 billion in tax hikes, which equals a $150 billion increase over previous the amount;
· Cut $525 billion in Medicare, which is a $60 billion increase over previous the amount;
· Add 16 million low-income Americans to the Medicaid rolls, which will shift future costs to states; and
· Overcharge on 19 million student loans to help pay for health care, diverting $3.9 billion during the first five years and $9.1 billion over 10 years.