"I Didn't Read the Bill!" Confesses Louise Slaughter, Powerful House Democrat

Louise M. Slaughter, D-NY, powerful House Rules Committee Chairwoman

At post-victory celebration, a committee chair's revealing slip-of-the-tongue.

To uproarious laughter and gleeful applause, Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter, D-NY, powerful chairwoman of the House Rules Committee, candidly admitted to a packed, post-victory, closed-door gathering of fellow Democrats that, in fact, she had not actually read H.R. 3962, the 1990-page health care bill her party managed to pass tonight in a close vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Ms. Slaughter, who represents New York's 28th Congressional District and voted 'Aye' on the legislation, made her startling admission in the middle of a lengthy toast she was giving to those lucky enough to be packed wall-to-wall partying inside H-208, the House Ways and Means Committee conference room, located just yards off the House floor where less than an hour earlier the hard-fought bill had passed 220-215.

On the room's long conference table was arrayed food and punch for the post-victory revelers, and Ms. Slaughter raised her cup in a crowd-pleasing speech as she savored her party's victory.

In the middle of that oration, and comfortable amongst those she knew to be friends, she paused for just an instant, almost as if she knew she shouldn't say that which she was about to say, and then blurted out, "I confess, I didn't read the bill!"

The crowd of cohorts roared gleefully its appreciation at the apparent frankness of the respected chairlady's remark.

Other Democrat committee chairs present during Ms. Slaughter's eye-opening revelation included Charles B. Rangel, D-NY, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Henry A. Waxman, D-CA, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Both men, especially Mr. Rangel, appeared bowled-over with laughter at Ms. Slaughter's sudden and unexpected declaration.

Democrats are hailing the legislation calling it landmark, while Republicans are warning that if signed into law, the Affordable Health Care for America Act could become the most expensive single piece of legislation in U.S. history, and could result in dramatic increases in the authority and power of the federal government to intrude into private lives and personal health care decisions.