Post by bot on Jul 2, 2017 19:41:48 GMT -5
Hoyer Remarks at Press Conference with House Democratic Leaders Following Senate TrumpCare Vote Delay
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) joined House Democratic leaders at a press conference this afternoon following Senate Republicans' decision to delay their TrumpCare vote. Below is a transcript of his remarks:
"Thank you, Leader. As the Leader said, the American people spoke, and many Members of the Senate listened. And what they heard from the American people was that this bill was not a bill that they thought would help themselves or their families, or their country, or their neighbors.
“And now we have an opportunity. We have an opportunity to make an excellent [law] even better, and that is the Affordable Care Act.
“I would urge my friends on the Republican side of the aisle in the Senate and in the House, let’s come together, lets reason together, let’s fix and improve that which is in the Affordable Care Act, and make it a [law] which serves everybody. It serves an overwhelming number of people.
“20 million more Americans have insurance today because of the Affordable Care Act, and they’re not precluded from insurance because they have a pre-existing condition; if they’re young and don’t have a job and don’t have insurance, they can stay on their parent’s policy.
“The American people were confronted with a bill that did violence to that. 24 million off insurance; pre-existing conditions and essential health benefits put at risk.
“We have an opportunity by the Republicans making a determination, they’re going to step back. As they step back, we are prepared to engage them, in a positive, constructive, not destructive, not negative policy, a positive policy for the American people. And I’m so pleased that I’ve had the opportunity with this group to perfect a [law] that does that, but that every one of us believes can be made better, as every piece of legislation can be made better over time.
“So now I want to yield to Jim Clyburn, the Assistant Leader, from South Carolina to share his thoughts.”