Republican Tim Burns has been hammering the Dem committee's pick in the 12th District -- former Jack Murtha district director Mark Critz -- for his silence on the health care debate. Today, fellow Democrat and Navy vet Ryan Bucchianeri does the same:

“I applaud those who had the courage to stand up and pass healthcare reform.  Had I been fortunate enough to already be in Congress I would have stood honorably to vote for this bill.

 “The unfortunate part about this process is the candidates in this race who would have voted ‘no’ and those who remained silent in the debate.

  Deciding to do anything but vote in the affirmative for healthcare reform means those candidates aren’t listening to 62,000 of our friends and neighbors in the district who are going without health insurance each day.  Remaining timid by not stating your positions or acting against this bill indicates a willingness to roll over and allow the insurance industry to continue to run out of control while real people’s lives are at stake.

 “This bill isn’t perfect but it is a bold first step.  I have listened to the people of our district, on both sides, and this bill meets their basic criteria.  It increases access, makes healthcare more affordable, and reduces our national deficit.  When I am in Congress I will make sure those principles are kept and that we continue to improve our healthcare system for generations to come.  That is the type of leadership Western Pennsylvanians are calling for.  This is the voice those 62,000 uninsured people need in Washington, and that is the choice I am offering them in this election.”

Critz has lately said he would have voted no, but that still doesn't appease Burns:

Nancy Pelosi's liberals in the House just passed their bill that will result in the government takeover of our healthcare system. After weeks of silence, Mark Crtiz was finally forced to answer where he stands on the bill by Capitolwire. However, Critz would only state that he would "likely" vote against the bill because of insufficient guarantees to prevent federal funding for abortions and concern over hospital reimbursement funding. In an effort to appease special interest groups and Nancy Pelosi, Critz did admit to otherwise supporting Obamacare which is not surprising since he worked to pass the bill in November and is a supporter of government run healthcare.

 "Critz offers a hollow explanation with a tentative promise of 'likely' being against the bill. If he is serious about making sure Nancy Pelosi and the liberals don't allow for taxpayer funded abortions and fighting for the constituents of this district, he should join me in signing a pledge to repeal the bill," challenged Burns. "Voters deserve better than weak statements regarding policy and are in need of a strong Congressman who will stand-up to Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi in Washington."