John Tierney: “It is deeply disappointing that, following last week's near universal calls for unity and cooperation and amidst all of…”

“It is deeply disappointing that, following last week's near universal calls for unity and cooperation and amidst all of the calls to lower the temperature of political discourse and to move to working together to solve America's pressing issues, the new Republican majority is moving full steam ahead with an attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The health care law may not be perfect--that prospect would always certainly be open to debate and suggestions on how it might be improved might also be open to debate--but instead of working together and building on the work that has been done and the progress that has been made, we find ourselves here today, debating and voting on a bill, which, while it may pass the House, most certainly will never become law--nor should it. Some may call it political catharsis. Others may call it pure theater, plain and simple; but let's be clear: the positive impact the existing health care reform law is having on millions of residents and families in all of our districts is very real, and the law's important, commonsense consumer protections are very popular.”