WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse issued text of the following speech:
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement after the Senate failed to advance a health care plan:
"Republicans refused to make good on their commitment to work in a bipartisan way to lower skyrocketing premiums. Now, they own the massive fiscal disaster that is about to hit their constituents - health care premiums will double in a matter of weeks.
"The Republican 'alternative' to Democrats' cost-lowering plan doesn't lower costs at all. Someone who gets a cancer diagnosis needs good, affordable insurance that pretty much covers their treatment - not $1,000 in a health savings account plus pricy junk health insurance that leav...