Congressman Kevin Brady continues his calls against the current healthcare reform plan, saying the votes still aren't there for Democrats looking to pass the legislation, and that the pressure is on the majority party to find a majority of the votes.

Brady (R-District 8) spoke from Washington on Brazos Valley This Morning Tuesday, also taking time to praise District 17 Congressman Chet Edwards for his pledge to, like Brady, vote against the reform as it stands now.

"Republicans care about healthcare reform," Brady told the only local morning television newscast. "We've been working on it for years. I think Congressman Edwards' vote is right, especially for the Brazos Valley.

"The choice this week," Brady continued, " is whether we go with a bill that is trillions of dollars in new spending that we can't ever afford with new tax increases and new mandates and major cuts to Medicaid to our seniors in a bill that drives up the cost of healthcare for people who have it versus sitting down with Republicans and coming up with a simple, step-by-step reform that actually focuses on lowering healthcare costs."

Brady also said the biggest after effect for Democrats could come in November when the general elections roll around.

"I think Democrats will pay a very steep price at the ballot box for not listening," Brady said. "The American public is strongly opposed to this bill. They want to go back to the drawing board. The Speaker (of the House, Nancy Pelosi), at least, is intent on ramming this through."

For the complete interview with the congressman, himself a former representative of Bryan/College Station in the US House, click on the video with this story.