Representative Jan Schakowsky issued the following statement after the Energy and Commerce Committee passed the American Health Care Act in a party-line vote following a 27-hour markup:
"For 27 hours, my Democratic colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee and I fought back against the Republican bill that would gut the ACA and leave millions of Americans paying more for health care and getting much less. For 27 hours, Republicans refused to listen to reason. My Democratic colleagues and I offered amendment after amendment in the name of those who would be hurt most by this terrible bill: seniors, children, people with disabilities, women who rely on Planned Parenthood for comprehensive medical care, Americans struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues, and many, many more. Republicans voted against every last one.
"With the kind of haste that's only necessary when you have something to hide, Republicans jammed their bill through our Committee. They did so without telling the American people how much this would cost or how many people would lose health care. The bill they passed would give more than $600 billion in tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy and strip millions of Americans of the health care they need.
"Energized and angry Americans are making their voices heard at town halls and on social media. Stakeholders from the American Medical Association to the AARP are sending letters of disapproval. The opposition to this bill is staggering and growing by the minute. We can stop this disastrous legislation, and I will continue to do everything I can to make sure that we do. The fight goes on."