Hoyer Remarks at the People’s Filibuster on TrumpCare Rally

Office of the Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer

July 17, 2017

Contact: Mariel Saez 202-225-3130

Hoyer Remarks at the People's Filibuster on TrumpCare Rally

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) joined the People's Filibuster against TrumpCare today organized by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and other organizations. Below is a transcript of his remarks:

"Ladies and gentleman, what Chuck Schumer has said is right. Democracy works. And the higher we all turn the heat up, the more we know about what they're trying to do, the less likely they are to do it.

"The Affordable Care Act, which Nancy and I and Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid and others worked so hard to pass, and you were there, you were there every step of the way because you knew that having health insurance was absolutely essential for you, for your children, for your parents, and your grandchildren, for everybody. You knew it was essential and, therefore, we fought for that.

"And guess what, about 8 months ago, there were only about 42% of people in America who thought that was a good thing to do. But guess what's happened" Guess what's happened" When somebody said they're going to take it away they started looking at the provisions, they started looking at people who have the availability of health care because Medicaid had been expanded. They looked at the bill that gave them help when they couldn't pay their premium, and couldn't pay their deductible, and they said you know what, I need this.

"So now we have 56, 57 percent. That's a 15 point, 16 point turn around in 6 months. Because people are looking at the facts. And, very frankly, the reason they can't pass that bill in the United States Senate, why McConnell can't get 51 Senators, because they're looking at it also and they're listening.

"You keep talking, you keep looking, you keep yelling, you keep holding up those signs. You keep on keeping on and we're gonna win this battle for America, for its families, and for its children. God bless you and keep on keeping on.

"Thank you President Saunders for your leadership. Elissa [McBride], thank you for your leadership. Members of AFSCME, thank you for your leadership. Brothers and sisters, America is listening, God bless you."