WASHINGTON, D.C. - Tonight, Congressman Rob Wittman joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to vote against H.R. 3962, the current healthcare reform package in the House, which ultimately passed by a vote of 220-215.

"Today, we've witnessed what continues to be a flawed legislative process in Washington when it comes to providing common ground and common sense solutions to the problems facing the Commonwealth and Nation. Throughout the process of crafting healthcare legislation I've formed a First District Healthcare Advisory Council, held town hall and telephone town hall meetings, and received thousands of emails, phone calls, and letters with an overwhelming message not to vote for a reform package that included a government takeover of our healthcare system. With my vote, I brought the message from my constituents directly to Congress."

"While this bill has passed today, there is still much in the way to go of the legislative process. I remain optimistic as the Senate works on their legislation and as Congress meets to craft a final bill that we will focus on the true tenets of reform: allowing the sale of insurance across state lines, enacting meaningful tort reform, and allowing those with preexisting conditions to purchase affordable coverage. We owe it to the American people to get it right when it comes to reforming something that affects every single American and encompasses nearly 1/5 of our economy.  We need reform that will truly lower costs, not create more bureaucracy and new government programs at the price of further debt upon an already bloated budget."

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He was elected to his first full term in November 2008 and serves on the Natural Resources Committee and the Armed Services Committee where he is the Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.