The Fourth of July is typically a cakewalk for political leaders who take the opportunity to walk in parades, shake hands, and pose for patriotic photo ops. But this year things were different. All weekend, GOP lawmakers tried to keep a low profile (some were more successful than others) to avoid the countless constituents demanding answers on Trumpcare.
As the Senate broke for its holiday recess, only three of the 52 Republican members—Sens. Cruz (R-TX), Moran (R-KS), and Cassidy (R-LA)—had announced public town halls. But that didn’t stop anyone from making this recess about Trumpcare. Local activists, encouraged by Indivisible, Town Hall Project and more, showed up at all sorts of Fourth of July events to demand that their Senators vote no on Trumpcare.
And the message was sent loud and clear. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said: “I heard, over and over again, encouragement for my stand against the current version of the Senate and House health-care bills. People were thanking me, over and over again. ‘Thank you, Susan!’ ‘Stay strong, Susan!’”
ACTION OF THE DAY
Kill The Bill. The message was sent loud and clear this weekend that Americans will not stand for a health care bill that strips coverage from millions of people. But we have to keep the pressure up to make sure that senators stay strong in their opposition to the bill. Our friends at Healthcare for America Now are hosting a Kill The Bill, Save Our Health Care day of action today. Find the events here. No event near you? Use the updated TrumpcareToolkit.org to contact the state offices of the Senators who need to hear from you most.
WHAT’S TRENDING
Missiles. While most of us were enjoying a long holiday weekend, North Korea successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile—a missile that has the potential to reach the United States. Trump responded by tweeting: “Doesn’t this guy have anything better to do with his life?” This test comes after a series of similar tests this year and suggests that North Korea serious about testing whether Trump will stand by his tough rhetoric on North Korea.
Slush funds. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has one to buy support from moderate Republican Senators. But no slush fund will be able to change the structural flaws in Trumpcare that will cause 15 million people to be uninsured and premiums to increase 20 percent by next year. New analysis from the Century Foundation estimates by county the number of people who will lose coverage and the average premium increases expected in 2018.
Women. We know that Trumpcare will take health care away from 22 million people, raise premiums, and gut protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Here are the top five ways the Senate’s version of Trumpcare will hurt women.
Euro Tour. Trump is leaving on one this morning. His first stop is Poland, which is seen as a show of support for the country’s right-wing populist government. From there, Trump will go to the G 20 summit in Germany where he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Before he goes, read about how U.S. leadership is weakening under Trump and why it’s time to act on Russia sanctions.
UNDER THE RADAR
Election Integrity. As of yesterday, 44 states were refusing to cooperate with the Trump administration’s “voter fraud” investigation. The states are refusing to hand over data on voters—including social security numbers—requested by the administration. The bipartisan group even includes Kansas Secretary of State, notorious enemy of voting rights, and head of Trump’s commission on voter fraud Kris Kobach.
GOOD NEWS
It’s Electric! You can’t see it (yet), but by the end of this decade Volvo will only sell hybrid or electric cars. The auto company announced yesterday that by 2019, it would only produce all-electric or hybrid cars. This is yet another sign that a clean energy future is inevitable, whether or not the Trump administration is on board.