DeGette: After 50 Repeal Votes, Let’s Focus On Americans’ Priorities

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (C0-01) urged her colleagues to focus on the priorities that the American people want Congress to address and stop spending taxpayers’ time passing grandstanding bills. Rep. DeGette did so after House passage of H.R. 4118, which marked the 50th vote by House Republicans to repeal and undermine the Affordable Care Act.

“Today’s vote marks the 50th attempt by House Republicans to obstruct, undermine, and repeal the Affordable Care Act, jeopardizing the benefits millions of Americans have gained under the law,” said Rep. DeGette. “Despite the repeated failure of these political tactics, House Republicans show no signs of ending their crusade to put health insurance companies back in charge of Americans’ health care.

“At the same time, House Republican leadership has failed to act on this priorities that Americans actually want Congress to deal with: creating jobs, securing genuine opportunity for people to get ahead, and growing our economy. We could work together on meaningful legislation to renew emergency unemployment insurance, raise the minimum wage, and tackle comprehensive immigration reform; instead, Congress reached a sad milestone with another vote to take health care benefits from millions of Americans.”

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 4 million Americans and counting are enrolled in health insurance marketplaces, 3.1 million young adults have stayed on their parents’ plans until 26, and millions more have secured coverage through Medicaid expansion. In addition, 129 million Americans with pre-existing conditions can get coverage without being charged more or losing coverage when they get sick.

###