That is what one Senate aide had to say about the Senate’s Trumpcare vote, which is expected to take place this afternoon. This is not normal. After more than eight years of promising to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with something better, Congressional Republicans stand poised to take a vote on a bill that will restructure one-sixth of the economy and affect the livelihoods of tens of millions of people without knowing what is in it.
Here’s how it will work: First, the Senate will vote on the motion to proceed, which will bring health care up for debate. If the motion to proceed passes, they will then vote on possible amendments. While even Republican Senators don’t know exactly what they will be voting on, it will likely include the latest version of Trumpcare, including the amendments added by Senators Portman (R-OH) and Cruz (R-TX), some version of the slash-and-burn “repeal and delay” bill, and potentially other versions of the Republican health care bill. What all these bills have in common are that they lead to millions of people losing coverage and costs skyrocketing for millions more.
This is unprecedented. No one—not even Senate majority staff—knows what the final product will be. The bottom line is every single one of those options is cruel. Every version of repealing the ACA will result in tens of millions of people losing health insurance, huge premium increases, and devastating cuts to Medicaid. The only option is to vote no.
ACTION OF THE DAY
This is it. We’ve said that before and every time resistance has stopped Trumpcare in its tracks. There has never been a more important time to make your voice heard against Trumpcare. In just a few hours the Senate will start debating health care. Here is who you need to call:
- Senator Lee (R-UT): 202-224-5444
- Senator Senator Paul (R-KY): 224-4343
- Senator Heller (R-NV): 224-6244
- Senator Capito (R-WV): 224-6472
- Senator Portman (R-OH): 224-3353
- Senator Murkowski (R-AK): 224-6665
Don’t live in one of those states? Share TrumpcareToolkit.org and ask five friends to do the same!
WHAT’S TRENDING
Medicaid. Retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Alexis Scott relies on Medicaid to help her treat injuries she sustained while on duty in Iraq. She is one of a half million U.S. Veterans who would lose coverage under President Trump’s and the Senate’s health care bill. Share her story. Speaking of Medicaid… here’s how Trumpcare will make the opioid crisis worse.
Jamboree. Last night, Trump addressed the National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia. He started by saying, “Who the hell wants to speak about politics when I’m in front of the Boy Scouts? Right?” He continued by talking about politics in front of the Boy Scouts. He mentioned firing Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price if Trumpcare fails, said the Trump administration will bring “Merry Christmas” back, and (of course) brought up the Electoral College and fake news.
FACT CHECK
“For the past 17 years.” Summing up his understanding of health policy, Trump yesterday said, “Obamacare has wreaked havoc ‘for the past 17 years.”
UNDER THE RADAR
Court of Federal Claims. It is the body that hears lawsuits against the government for violating property rights. It is also the latest place Trump is taking his deregulatory, anti-environment agenda. He has nominated two inexperienced, anti-environment lawyers—Damien Schiff and Stephen Schwartz—to the Court of Federal Claims. This is just the latest move in Trump’s attempt to reshape our entire judicial system. Schwartz has a date with the Senate Judiciary Committee today and Schiff (who has already been voted out of committee) could be brought to the Senate floor any day now. Stay tuned.
GOOD NEWS
Speaking of scouts… Girl Scouts are adding 23 new badges focused on science, technology, engineering, and math.