McCain and Warren Statements on the Defeat of the "Skinny Repeal"

By John McCain and Elizabeth Warren, Reader Supported News

29 July 17

John McCain | On Voting “No” on “Skinny Repeal" of Obamacare

rom the beginning, I have believed that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced with a solution that increases competition, lowers costs, and improves care for the American people. The so-called ‘skinny repeal’ amendment the Senate voted on today would not accomplish those goals. While the amendment would have repealed some of Obamacare’s most burdensome regulations, it offered no replacement to actually reform our health care system and deliver affordable, quality health care to our citizens. The Speaker's statement that the House would be ‘willing’ to go to conference does not ease my concern that this shell of a bill could be taken up and passed at any time.

I’ve stated time and time again that one of the major failures of Obamacare was that it was rammed through Congress by Democrats on a strict-party line basis without a single Republican vote. We should not make the mistakes of the past that has led to Obamacare’s collapse, including in my home state of Arizona where premiums are skyrocketing and health care providers are fleeing the marketplace. We must now return to the correct way of legislating and send the bill back to committee, hold hearings, receive input from both sides of aisle, heed the recommendations of nation’s governors, and produce a bill that finally delivers affordable health care for the American people. We must do the hard work our citizens expect of us and deserve.

Permalink: https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/7/statement-by-senator-john-mccain-on-voting-no-on-skinny-repeal

Elizabeth Warren | The Nightmare Is Over (For Now)

EDITOR’S NOTE: Published July 28, 2017, the morning after the Republican "Skinny Repeal” of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) was defeated 51-49.

While much of America was asleep last night, the Senate Republicans voted on a bill to rip health care away from 16 million people. They voted, they voted and finally they failed.

When my head finally hit the pillow at 3:30 am, I slept a little better. I slept better – knowing that everyone else can sleep a little better too.

• The millions of people who were going to lose their health care coverage under the Republicans’ “skinny repeal” bill can keep their coverage – and sleep a little better.


• Everyone with private health insurance whose costs were going to skyrocket at least 20% under the Republicans’ “skinny repeal” bill won’t see the Republican spike – and can sleep a little better.


• Everyone who depends on Planned Parenthood for basic medical care can sleep a little better.


• And everyone who simply cares about the health and security of their family, friends, neighbors – their fellow human beings – can sleep a little better.

The energy inside the Capitol a few hours ago didn’t come from senators like me. It came from people like you. People who made calls, sent letters and emails, attended town halls, organized a protest, posted and tweeted stories, and spoke out to their friends and neighbors. Your work made a difference.

Please celebrate. Have an extra coffee today. Do a little dance. Hug someone you love.

But don’t let down your guard – not all the way. Mitch McConnell can reintroduce another “health care” bill at any moment. Who knows what sort of scheme he’s working on with Speaker Paul Ryan right this minute.

People like McConnell and Ryan, people who are willing to take away health care from millions of Americans, will be with us for a long time – so we have to be vigilant. But please, enjoy this moment.

THANK YOU. You make these victories possible. We really and truly couldn’t do it without you.

Take care, and thanks for being a part of this,

Elizabeth