On the recordApril 2, 2019
I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the Affordable Care Act is not working for too many Americans. I welcome all efforts to lower costs, to increase choice, and to protect those with preexisting conditions. Remember, the very first thing, the very first floor vote we pushed as Republicans this Congress was to solidify protections for those with preexisting conditions. It was the first thing we did. We did it right out of the gate. While Republicans have stood ready to work on lowering costs and increasing choices, so far the Democrats, the Democratic majority, have only tried to double down on the ACA. On the Energy and Commerce Committee, the only solution we have seen from Democrats are partisan bills that throw billions of unpaid-for dollars at a broken system, at a failed experiment. If my Democratic colleagues were serious about helping patients, they would work with us on reforms to lower costs and increase choices. {time} 1515 The fact is we could vote on independent legislation that protects patients with preexisting conditions. The fact is, if my Democratic colleagues were serious about their concerns over this lawsuit, they could, legislatively, end this lawsuit once and for all. We could vote to repeal the individual mandate. That would immediately invalidate the lawsuit. They could vote to reinstate the individual mandate penalty. That would also stop the lawsuit in its tracks.…
