Olathe , Kan. – Patricia Lightner, Republican candidate for Congress in the 3rd District of Kansas, issued the following statement strongly criticizing passage of ObamaCare by the United States Congress on Sunday night:

“I am deeply angered and saddened by the passage of ObamaCare by the United States Congress in the late hours of Sunday night. After months of insider vote trading, backroom deals, and sell outs by blue dogs, the Democrats in Congress finally got to the number they were looking for, and rammed through the largest turn towards socialism this country has ever seen.

“In one fell swoop, the Democrats violated the Constitution, destroyed private health care, mandated the purchase of a product simply by being born, and imposed tax increases and massive spending on the backs of the American people. By doing so, they undermined the founding principles of our country and set us down the dangerous road of socialism and centralized federal power.

“While the liberals in Congress were applauding Nancy Pelosi’s speech to the House, Americans from coast-to-coast sat in bewilderment as the politicians on TV, despite millions of phone calls and emails, historic election results, and polling showing the American people overwhelmingly reject ObamaCare, arrogantly ignored the will of the people and allowed Obama to “Rahm through” a bill which will result in the government take over 1/6 of the American economy.

“I hereby call on all residents of the 3rd District to rise up and demand the immediate repeal of ObamaCare in 2011. This starts with electing a new Congress complete with members who won’t just tweak around the edges, but will work to completely repeal ObamaCare. I was the first candidate in the 3rd District to sign the Club for Growth Repeal It! Pledge, and I renew that commitment today.

“Once ObamaCare is repealed, we can then work on real health care reform which embraces free market principles, lower costs, increases competition, improves access, and upholds the Constitution.”