Q&A with Rep. Louie Gohmert

Q: Elected officials on the Sunday morning talk shows usually say, "Everyone agrees we need health care reform." Do we?

A: "I think we do, but not to the extent being proposed by the Democrats. To say we've got 15 percent of Americans uninsured and then to destroy the system we've got… I don't think we need that. And remember, that 15 percent includes illegal aliens and people who have access to health care but, for whatever reason, choose not to take it."

Q: Democrats complain that Republicans don't have any ideas for health care reform; they just don't want the plans the Democrats propose. Do you have any proposals?

A: "There are several proposals out there… and I've got my own plan, HB 3478, that has been filed as a bill. I don't want co-sponsors yet. I think it should score well (the Congressional Budget Office does an accounting and tallies up costs versus savings or revenue.) and save money and provide seniors better coverage than they've ever had. I'll get it scored and then ask for co-sponsors."

Q: Will we see a health care bill passed this year?

A: "I think it's 50-50. It depends on how effective Americans are at letting moderate Democrats in Congress know how they feel about it."

Q: Do you really need to read every bill in its entirety before you vote on it?

A: "I think so. But no one can read them all. I know what I don't have time to read and my Republican colleagues tell me I read more than most of them do.

"Most people in Congress are not fortunate enough to have a lawyer on their staff… I have three. I divide the bills up, based on which committee they come out of, and assign them to my staff to read and watch for anything that might be controversial. And I read as much as I can."

Q: If members of Congress were required to read every bill, how would it all get done?

A: "We just wouldn't pass as many bills. We waste a lot of time, we really do. We're having all these hearings about ghosts and goblins in the Bush administration…"

Q: Is your health insurance the same as insurance for other federal employees?

A: "Yes. But most people wouldn't want the plan I have this year. I don't like it. But we have a nice cafeteria plan, with lots of plans to choose from and I'll change next year."

Q: The so-called Cap and Trade bill will require what it calls location-efficient mortgages. Fannie Mae will participate in the program if it's passed. That would prohibit Fannie Mae from participating in mortgages that are not location-efficient; the buyer would have to work within fuel-efficient distance of the house. How would that affect towns like Kilgore in which many residents commute to Longview or Tyler to work?

A: "I'm not familiar with that but I'll find out."

Q: Residents of your district have no access to the majority - the decision-makers in Congress because you're a member of the minority party and both Texas Senators are Republicans. How can residents of this district affect decisions in Congress?

A: "There are a lot of races around the country that could go either way. They're going to have to have outside help. I held a fund-raiser for Rick Santorum (Republican from Pennsylvania) and he was blown away by how much money East Texans came up with to help his campaign.

"And people here can contact friends and relatives in other districts and ask them to contact their representatives. And, too, we like to hear from our constituents. It's nice to be able to point at your district and say look how they feel about this."