On Saturday May 4th, Democratic leaders from across the country marked the two year anniversary of the Republican-controlled House’s passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), and the beer swilling celebration that ensued in the White House Rose Garden, by reminding Americans of the GOP’s reckless vote to take away their health care. Had it passed, the AHCA would have stripped coverage from millions and destroyed the nation’s health care system in the process.
By contrast, Democrats are pursuing an agenda to lower health care costs, improve care, protect people with pre-existing conditions from discrimination and roll back the Trump administration’s sabotage of the health care law.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): “Two years after their shameful vote to pass the #Trumpcare monstrosity, the GOP’s obsession with taking away Americans’ affordable, quality health care remains.” [Speaker Pelosi Twitter, 5/4/19]
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY): “2 years ago, @realDonaldTrump & the GOP laughed in the Rose Garden about their attempt to take health care from millions. It didn’t work then, but they’re still trying. Democrats will never stop fighting to make sure health care is a right, not a privilege.” [Sen. Schumer Twitter, 5/4/19]
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD): “Two years ago today, @HouseGOP & @POTUS cheered passage of #TrumpCare. After failing to enact it into law, the Trump Admin is seeking to invalidate the #ACA, taking away health coverage from millions & ending protections for those with pre-ex conditions.” [Leader Hoyer Twitter, 5/4/19]
Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI): “Today marks the 2 year anniversary of House Republicans passing legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act, take away people’s health care & raise costs for people with pre-existing conditions. @realdonaldtrump thought it was funny. It’s not. #ProtectOurCare #WeWontForget.” [Sen. Baldwin Twitter, 5/4/19]
Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT): “Two years ago these guys celebrated a vote to take health care away from 23 million Americans. Dozens of them were kicked out of office by voters this fall and we are still fighting against GOP attempts to sabotage our health care system.” [Sen. Murphy Twitter, 5/4/19]
Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL): “Two years ago today, every House Democrat voted against #Trumpcare — legislation that would have left millions more Americans without health coverage. Now, Democrats are continuing their commitment to expanding access to health care by protecting the ACA.” [Rep. Rush Twitter, 5/4/19]
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL): “It’s been two years since House Republicans passed #TrumpCare and then went to have premature celebration in the Rose Garden with @realDonaldTrump. Thankfully that bill never became law, because it would have meant the loss of coverage and protections for millions.” [Rep. Schakowsky Twitter, 5/4/19]
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA): “First, Trump got the GOP Congress to vote to repeal the ACA. They failed. Repeatedly. Now, Trump has asked the court to dismantle the entire ACA, threatening the health of millions. We will fight in Congress, the courts, anywhere we need to protect your health care.” [Rep. Schiff Twitter, 5/5/19]
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN): “Two years ago @HouseGOP celebrated the passage of #TrumpCare. Thankfully it didn’t pass the Senate. Under their plan more than 20 million Americans would have lost coverage and premiums would have increased for everyone else.” [Rep. Cohen Twitter, 5/4/19]
Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN): “Ripping health care from millions of people is nothing to celebrate, but that’s just what Republicans did after they passed #Trumpcare two years ago today. Thank goodness Americans’ tireless activism kept this awful bill from becoming law. Let’s keep striving to #ProtectOurCare.” [Rep. Carson Twitter, 5/4/19]
Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL): “When you have breast and kidney cancer, the last thing you should be doing is focusing on how you would pay for health care. Grateful Americans banded together to defeat #Trumpcare!” [Rep. Wilson Twitter, 5/4/19]
Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA): “5,489,162 Pennsylvanians live with a pre-existing condition. And every single one would have lost protections against insurance discrimination under the #Trumpcare legislation passed by the @HouseGOP two years ago today.” [Rep. Cartwright Twitter, 5/4/19]
Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA): “Remember this? 2 years ago today, the @HouseGOP voted to gut protections for people with #preexistingconditions & take away health care of millions. Then, they threw themselves a party to celebrate. Well, guess what? They are at it again. #ProtectOurCare.” [Rep. Clark Twitter, 5/4/19]
Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI): “Two years ago, @HouseGOP passed #Trumpcare. Hard to imagine that 536,800 people in Michigan would have lost their health coverage if #Trumpcare had become law. I’m grateful to everyone who spoke out and fought against this dangerous bill.” [Rep. Kildee Twitter, 5/4/19]
Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ): “It’s been two years since Republicans voted to sabotage our nation’s health care system- and then pat themselves on the back for doing it. Here’s a look at the damage #Trumpcare would’ve done to YOUR coverage:” [Rep. Gallego Twitter, 5/4/19]
Rep. Nanette Barragan (D-CA): “If passed into law, #Trumpcare would’ve been a disaster, causing over 2.5 million Californians to lose their health coverage. Proud to say I voted against this senseless legislation two years ago & am now working to ensure every American has access to quality, affordable care.” [Rep. Barragan Twitter, 5/4/19]
Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA): “REMINDER: two years ago today, @realDonaldTrump & @HouseGOP applauded themselves for passing legislation that would’ve sabotaged our healthcare system and kicked over 20 million people off their insurance. #Trumpcare.” [Rep. Gomez Twitter, 5/4/19]
Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ): “Today marks two years since the @HouseGOP passed their deadly #Trumpcare bill. If it had become law, it would have forced Arizona seniors to pay a $13,977 age tax on their health care by 2026. #ProtectOurCare.” [Rep. Kirkpatrick Twitter, 5/4/19]
Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI): “#Trumpcare would have been an economic disaster for Michigan, costing 65,286 people in our state their livelihoods. Americans banded together to defeat it, and we’ll band together to expand the ACA and make health care more affordable. #ForThePeople.” [Rep. Levin Twitter, 5/4/19]
Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL): “If #TrumpCare had become law, it would have forced: $7,189 age tax on Florida seniors’ health care by 2026. 7,839,642 Floridians with pre-existing conditions to lose protections. Today, Americans are standing up to #ProtectOurCare.” [Rep. Mucarsel-Powell Twitter, 5/4/19]
Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL): “Two years ago today, House Republicans celebrated passage of #TrumpCare that would have left millions of Americans without coverage. While the Administration continues to sabotage the ACA, I’m working to protect the affordable, quality health care we deserve. #ForThePeople.” [Rep. Underwood Twitter, 5/4/19]