On the recordJuly 22, 2020
Mr. John Lewis has often been called the conscience of the Congress. He also led our Democratic Caucus during some of our toughest moments. In 2017, there was a strong effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act. We were in the minority. We were demoralized. Things seemed hopeless. It was in this darkest hour that the legendary John Lewis thundered; channeling Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he said, We may have all come on different ships, but we are all in the same boat now. We have to stick together. We have to stand up. We have to do what is right. Millions of Americans are counting on us. And as he thundered those words, chills ran down my spine, and a moral righteousness took over me as he brought our entire caucus to our feet. And we fought the good fight, though we lost the vote in the House. But we still inspired the American people. The effort to repeal ObamaCare ultimately failed in the Senate, and Mr. John Lewis lit the spark with his words, his spirit, and his courage. Rest in power, Mr. Lewis.
