Al Franken: “Thank you, Mr. President. I rise today to talk about the Republican effort happening in total secrecy behind closed…”

“Thank you, Mr. President. I rise today to talk about the Republican effort happening in total secrecy behind closed doors under the direction of Leader McConnell to repeal the Affordable Care Act and gut Medicaid in order to give huge tax breaks to the wealthiest Georgians, the wealthiest Americans. Just about 5 months ago, I came before this body. I issued a simple request to Republicans. I asked you to show me your plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. I asked you to show me the plan that was going to be ``terrific.'' As to the bill that President Trump promised during his campaign and the one Republicans had 7 years to come up with, I asked you to explain how you would meet the standards set by one of President Trump's top advisers, Kelly Anne Conway, who said: ``We don't want anyone who currently has insurance to not have insurance.'' I asked you all to show me the plan that retains coverage for the nearly 20 million people who have gained it, continues to contain healthcare costs, and ensures that nobody gets denied or has to pay more because of their gender or because of preexisting conditions. I never got that plan from you. Instead, what we received was the American Health Care Act, or the AHCA, a heartless, terrible bill that passed the House in early May, a bill that President Trump heralded in the Rose Garden, after its passage, as ``great.'' The AHCA is a far cry from what President Trump and his allies promised.…”