WATERTOWN -- The Matt Doheny campaign is reaffirming its belief that the health care reform bill should be repealed.

A release from Doheny’s campaign calls Owens’ continued support of the bill “shocking.”

The text of the statement follows:

"In a shocking admission, Rep. Bill Owens (D-Plattsburgh) admitted today that he does not regret following orders from President Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi by voting in favor of the health care legislation. The controversial government overhaul is proving to be an albatross on small businesses as well as individuals and families who have seen their premiums go up by as much as 80 percent.

"Passing health care was a good first step, and repealing it would be irresponsible," Owens said during his and challenger Matt Doheny's first debate. Doheny, of Watertown, has stated that the bill should be repealed and replaced with more commonsense legislation such as tort reform, interstate purchasability, and reduced government regulations.

And in another flip-flop concerning the House adjourning before voting on the Obama tax hikes set to go into effect January 1, 2011, Owens -- who voted for the adjournment, then said it was "a real mistake," now says "I do not feel it was inappropriate to adjourn" before voting on the biggest tax increase to face Americans in recent history.

"Instead of doing their job and voting against the tax hikes that are coming, Owens and Pelosi opted to get out of Washington and dodge the issue before the general election. It is this kind of uncertainty that is stalling our economy and leaving small businesses to wonder what new taxes will be crushing them next."

And finally, the Congressman continues to champion the pending national energy tax related to "cap and trade" legislation that especially burdens families, businesses, and farms across the 23rd Congressional District. "Cap and trade is not bad," Owens said.

Doheny, who is against the legislation, noted that if passed the legislation would add at least $2,000 to each household's budget every year.

The debate was hosted by "Public Eye," a new public affairs program on the Watertown PBS station.