Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr.’s (D-NJ) remarks as prepared for delivery on the House Floor today in support of House Resolution 271, Condemning the Trump Administration’s Legal Campaign to Take Away Americans’ Health Care, are enclosed below:
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 271, Condemning the Trump Administration’s Legal Campaign to Take Away Americans’ Health Care.
The Trump Administration’s announcement last week that it would actively support a frivolous lawsuit striking down the entire Affordable Care Act shows the President’s shameless disregard for the health and well-being of the American people.
If the Trump Administration gets its way in court and the ACA is struck down, tens of millions of Americans will lose their health coverage overnight, hundreds of millions will immediately lose protections for pre-existing conditions, and we will be sent barreling back to the days of lifetime limits and price discrimination against women based on their gender.
Republicans had their chance to repeal and replace the ACA and the American people overwhelmingly rejected their plan.
And now, by refusing to defend the ACA in court, the Trump Administration is asking the courts to do what President Trump and a Republican Congress could not - repeal the ACA and all of the protections that it includes for the American people.
Now I have heard my colleagues on the other side of the aisle repeatedly claim that they stand for protections for people with pre-existing conditions, and for other protections included in the ACA --- well now is your chance to show it.
We have an opportunity today to send a clear message that we will not support this reckless attack that imperils the wellbeing of millions of hardworking Americans.
The time for empty promises has expired - it’s time to act. The Trump Administration is determined to destroy protections for pre-existing conditions and to tear down every last benefit guaranteed by the ACA, and today’s vote is an opportunity to stand up in solidarity against this heartless attack.
I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.Res. 271 to send a clear message we will not stand idly by while the Trump Administration wages an all-out assault on Americans’ health care.
Thank you, I yield back the balance of my time.
