Local Reps Respond To Canceled Health Care Vote

WASHINGTON, DC — Members of Congress representing Chicago's North Shore responded swiftly to the cancellation of a planned House vote on the Republican-backed American Health Care Act.

"We all learned a lot," said President Donald Trump. "We learned a lot about loyalty. We learned a lot about the vote-getting process. We learned a lot about some very arcane rules."

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D, IL-9) credited vocal voters who made their opposition plainly known to lawmakers for the apparent failure of the AHCA, which she described as "Trumpcare":

Today is a victory for the American people. I want to extend my most sincere gratitude to the millions of people around the country who loudly and clearly expressed their opposition to this disastrous bill. I have heard from thousands of constituents over the last few days who have told me how strongly they oppose the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. This victory is theirs.

Further, Republicans today have demonstrated their complete inability to govern. The vote on this legislation was their first big test as a governing party. Despite them having control of the House, the Senate, and the White House, they managed to fail spectacularly.

I will continue to work every day to complete the dream that brought me to congress: to ensure quality, affordable, healthcare for all Americans.

Congressman Brad Schneider (D, IL-10) said a window of opportunity has opened for increased bipartisan cooperation to fashion a new healthcare solution:

The decision to cancel the vote made today a good day for all Americans. The American Health Care Act would have been a disastrous step backwards for our health care system, increasing the number of uninsured, raising costs on working families and seniors, and weakening essential health benefits.

Health care deserves more thoughtful consideration than a bill cobbled together without public input, modified in the dark of night, and recklessly pushed forward to check a partisan political box rather than improve the lives of the American people.

While we avoided taking a step backward, many challenges within our health care system remain. Today represents an opportunity for my Republican and Democratic colleagues to move beyond the rhetoric and work together for real solutions. I’m ready to work across the aisle on substantive ideas that increase quality, affordability, and access to health care while preserving and building on the successes of the Affordable Care Act.

Illinois' Senators Respond on Social Media

"Because of your calls and your letters, House Republicans pulled the plug on their half-baked health care repeal bill," Senior Senator Dick Durbin (D) posted on Facebook, before streaming a town hall meeting from Bloomington.

The GOP must put repeal behind them now and work with Democrats to improve--not destroy--America's health care system.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) March 24, 2017

Junior Senator Tammy Duckworth (D) also called the bill "Trumpcare" and praised its withdrawal. She said the "fight is not over."

#Trumpcare's defeat today is good news but this fight is not over. We must remain vigilant against similar efforts in the wks & months ahead
— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) March 24, 2017

Top Photo: Associated Press Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais