Local Common Sense Texans Groups Unite to Protest Kay Bailey Hutchison Vote

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 21, 2009

Contact: Judy Holloway (512.585.7631)

Common Sense Texans groups in Austin, Dallas and Houston are holding rallies today to protest Kay Bailey Hutchison’s actions over the weekend that, in their view, helped pave the way for imminent Senate passage of the government’s takeover of healthcare. Rallies will be held at Senator Hutchison’s offices in Austin at 5 pm, in Dallas at noon and in Houston at 5:30 pm.

“While the rest of us were engaged in the struggle for the future of our children’s, grandchildren’s and our own healthcare in our country, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison jumped ship,” stated Greg Holloway of Common Sense Texans and Austin Tea Party Patriots. “The Senate Republicans finally decided to put up a real fight against the legislative road to so-called healthcare reform - which we contend to be merely government control of healthcare, without any useful reform at all - by delaying all other legislation that needed to come before the vote on healthcare. Senator Hutchinson decided to break rank and vote ‘yes’ on a cloture motion that allowed for a vote on a defense (and pork) spending bill (HR 3326). That, in turn, now makes it possible for the Senate to vote on the healthcare bill late on Christmas Eve.”

Although Senator Hutchison contended that her vote came after a 60-vote Democratic majority had already been established, the Austin Tea Party Patriots and the Central Texas 9-12 group point out that Hutchison’s vote came at a time when conservative unity against the healthcare bill was important. “Senator Hutchison was joined in her vote by liberal Republican Senators Snowe and Collins from Maine,” said Judy Holloway, founder of Austin Tea Party Patriots. “What does that tell you?”

Common Sense Texans believe that Senator Hutchison was, at best, looking to buttress her record of voting to support the country’s troops by allowing a vote on the defense bill. They contend there would have been far better ways to do so, since the defense bill could have been passed after some debate that stripped out other non-essential elements.

“To be clear, our rally is not about taking a position in the upcoming gubernatorial election,” continued Greg Holloway. “We are asking for Senators to take every opportunity to fight against a healthcare bill that the vast majority of Americans know is bad for our country. We want Senator Hutchison to renew her efforts in this battle.”

The goals of Common Sense Texans, a statewide coalition of tea parties, 9/12 groups and other grassroots activists, are to educate, advocate and support citizens and their public servants in the group’s five core values: limited government, fiscal responsibility, personal responsibility, the rule of law and national sovereignty. Common Sense Texans’ new website is under construction, but visitors can check out the current website at www.commonsensetexans.net.

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Judy Holloway
Austin Tea Party Patriots
Common Sense Texans
having.anaustinteaparty@gmail.com
512-585-7673