Neal Statement on Speaker Ryan’s Refusal to Work with Democrats on Health Care United States Capitol Dome and Flag

WASHINGTON, March 30 -- Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Mass., issued the following news release:

Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-MA) today released the following statement after House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) said in an interview that he did not want to work Democrats on health care legislation:

I am deeply disappointed by Speaker Ryan's comments that he doesn't want President Trump to work with Democrats to improve our health care system. These comments are irresponsible and tone deaf to the wishes of the American people. Our constituents send us to Washington to work together in a bipartisan manner to solve tough problems. I had hoped that last week's defeat of the Republican health care bill signaled the end of nearly a decade of Republican obstructionism and sabotage on health care. But Speaker Ryan's comments make clear that House Republicans are still more interested in scoring political points than working to improve the lives of middle-class families. For seven years, Democrats have said that if Republicans removed the threat of repeal, we would gladly work with them on ways to improve coverage, lower costs, and strengthen consumer protections. That offer still stands to any Republican who puts aside their insistence on repealing the Affordable Care Act.

I hope that as Congress begins consideration of the budget, tax reform, and other important legislation, Speaker Ryan and House Republicans will reconsider their 'go it alone' governing strategy and work with Democrats to find consensus on the big issues we face. I hope the Speaker will worry less about his narrow political interest and more about the daily lives of middle-class Americans, as he is the Speaker of the entire House of Representatives, not just the Republican Conference.