Commentary: WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), and First Vice Chair Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) made the following statements after Trumpcare failed to pass in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Donald Trump and Paul Ryan knew what this legislation would do to the lives of the American people,” Rep. Ellison said. “They knew it would kick 24 million people off their health insurance, gut over $800 billion from Medicaid, lower the quality of care, effectively end protections on pre-existing conditions, and cause costs to skyrocket for seniors. Regardless, they didn’t care and did everything in their power to rush it through Congress, proving that they care more about giving the richest Americans a tax cut over the wellbeing of the American people.”
“The only reason it failed is because a number of Republicans felt that it did not do enough damage.”
“However, they will try again. Democrats, grassroots activists, and millions of Americans who don’t want to lose their coverage must be ready to mobilize like never before.”
“Donald Trump just asked House Republicans to walk the plank on healthcare with him, and they let him take the plunge alone,” Rep. Grijalva said. “While health coverage for millions of Americans is safe for now, it’s important to remember that Republican orthodoxy still views this outcome as a failure. We can’t lose sight of the fact that the GOP just tried to cut off healthcare for 24 million Americans to help cover $600 billion in tax cuts to the rich.”
“The fact of the matter is the Affordable Care Act is working, and Republicans will face the wrath of the voters if they ever succeed in undermining it,” Rep. Grijalva continued. “The ACA covers seniors better than the GOP plan by protecting them from price-gouging, just as it helps women – and particularly women of color – by funding vital resources like Planned Parenthood. The American people fought for generations to secure healthcare as a right, and they just sent a clear message to Republicans that they won’t stand by and watch it become a commodity again.”
“This is a victory for everyone who contacted Congressional offices to voice their opposition to this bill,” Rep. Pocan said. “These calls paid off and showed President Trump and Speaker Ryan that you cannot ram a bill through Congress while ignoring the concerns of the American people. Thanks to the grassroots efforts of people across the country, we stopped President Trump and Speaker Ryan’s attempt to kick 24 million people off their health insurance. Pulling Trumpcare from consideration today marks a major legislative defeat for President Trump and Congressional Republicans and a tremendous win for the American people whose voices were heard loud and clear in the Capitol.”
The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is the largest caucus within the House Democratic Caucus, with over 70 members standing up for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests, fight economic and social inequality, and promote civil liberties. The CPC champions progressive policy solutions like comprehensive immigration reform, a $15 national minimum wage, fair trade, gun violence reform, debt-free college, and making the federal government a Model Employer.