Last week it was revealed that Senate GOP have been meeting behind closed doors, readying perhaps a complete rewrite of Trump’s proposed healthcare bill, the American Health Care Act. Prior to and following this news, Senate Democrats have urged a more bipartisan course of action, where both sides can voice their visions for the nation’s healthcare. However, as news continues that this replacement plan rewrite remains in private, Senate Democrats are taking a stand.
On June 19, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York took the floor to voice concerns over Senate GOP’s clandestine measures to formulate their own replacement bill sans Democratic input. Schumer requested a hearing regarding the bill before it comes to vote, but Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky shut him down, expressing there will be an “ample opportunity” to check the bill before it comes to vote. On Tuesday, June 20, McConnell announced that the bill will be released on Thursday and a vote expected as early as next week.
This seemingly comes at the behest of President Trump, who requested that the GOP put aside their differences on healthcare and move forward. Senate Democrats will not take these unilateral actions without a fight. Communications Director for Schumer, Matt House, tweeted further on the subject: “If GOP won’t debate health carein public, they shouldn’t expect business as usual in the Senate.”
