Campaign Action
While Senate Leader Mitch McConnell is jamming through a Trumpcare bill that could entirely blow up the health care system, which accounts for one-sixth of the nation’s economy, here’s a reminder about how crafting laws is supposed to be done:
In June and July 2009, with Democrats in charge, the Senate health committee spent nearly 60 hours over 13 days marking up the bill that became the Affordable Care Act. That September and October, the Senate Finance Committee worked on the legislation for eight days—its longest markup in two decades. It considered more than 130 amendments and held 79 roll-call votes.
The full Senate debated the health care bill for 25 straight days before passing it on Dec. 24, 2009.
“After years of howling at the moon about Democrats rushing through the Affordable Care Act,” said Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, Republicans are now racing to pass the repeal bill because “they don’t want anyone to know what’s in the bill.”
That's the understatement of the year, as Republicans are now on record saying it would be "stupid" to publicly reveal this bill, one that affects the very health and lives of millions of people. They will have no hearings, and they will put the bill on the floor as quickly as they can after it’s scored. They don’t want anyone to know how bad this thing is until they have to vote.
Of course, as far as Republicans are concerned, this isn’t about health care. It’s about tax cuts. That’s what really matters.
Don't let them do it. Call your Republican senator/s through the Capitol switchboard, 202-224-3121 and at their local offices. Tell them you won't forget how they're selling you out.