A female Democratic lawmaker in footage released Sunday said Congress could pass healthcare if female lawmakers "sent the men home."



Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.) said that both Republican and Democratic women members of Congress understand how to care for relatives and thus want the healthcare system to change.



"We go to the ladies room and the Republican women and the Democratic women and we just roll our eyes," she said. "And the Republican women said when we were fighting over the healthcare bill, if we sent the men home..." at which point she was interrupted by loud applause.

"You know why? I'm not trying to diss the men but I'm telling you it's the truth that every single woman there has been responsible for taking care of a [relatives] and so we think we can find a common ground there," she said.

The New Hampshire lawmaker's comments come as Democratic leaders are debating alternative ways to pass the healthcare overhaul. Republican Scott Brown's victory in the Massachusetts Senate primary has stalled the debate.



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