Steve Cohen: “The passage and implementation of the Affordable Care Act is the culmination of an American political journey that…”

“The passage and implementation of the Affordable Care Act is the culmination of an American political journey that started a century ago with Teddy Roosevelt in 1912 with the Bull Moose Party--also a Republican--and picked up years later by Harry Truman and other Presidents, including Richard Nixon, another Republican. The most recent groundwork for reform was laid in part by the former Republican Presidential candidate, Robert Dole, as an alternative to Hillary Clinton's plan, and by the present Republican Presidential nominee, Mitt Romney. I commend them for championing the concept of the individual mandate back when it wasn't quite as unpopular on their side of the aisle. The history of reforming our Nation's health care system is a strong one that has historically been championed by lawmakers on both sides of the political spectrum, until this Congress. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have wasted hours upon hours debating and voting upon the various versions of the legislation that would repeal the Affordable Care Act. My colleagues know that these initiatives are fruitless. They know that voting over and over and over again--more than 30 times total--on measures to repeal the Affordable Care Act is a waste of time, but they keep calling for these votes. Do you want to know why?…”