Pelosi, Hoyer shoot back at protesters

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Democratic leaders in the U.S. House Monday fired back in an op-ed article at noisy opponents of healthcare reform.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said in an opinion piece published in USA Today that the high-profile demonstrations held at town hall meetings around the country were an "un-American" suppression of opposing viewpoints.

"These disruptions are occurring because opponents are afraid not just of differing views -- but of the facts themselves," the article said. "Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American."

The protests allegedly have been organized by lobbyists for the healthcare industry and have led some Democratic members of Congress to cancel scheduled meetings with constituents.

"The dialogue between elected representatives and constituents is at the heart of our democracy and plays an integral role in assuring that the legislation we write reflects the genuine needs and concerns of the people we represent," the article said.

Pelosi and Hoyer wrote that healthcare reform would expand coverage for more Americans and provide a counterbalance to the growing market clout of a "rapidly consolidating" health insurance industry.