Sen. Udall Issues Statement on Republican Vote to Proceed to Affordable Care Act Repeal

WASHINGTON, July 25 -- The office of Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., issued the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to move forward to repeal of the Affordable Care Act:

"During my entire career in Congress, I've never seen anything like Senate Republicans' shameful vote today. Senate Republicans are barreling toward a massive, devastating and cruel upheaval of health care in New Mexico and across the country - without even showing us what they're going to vote on. Now, Senate Republicans will attempt to throw together a makeshift bill to overhaul our health care system in 20 hours, in secret, behind closed doors. This process is a disgrace to the Senate, and a betrayal of the people we were sent here to serve.

"Every iteration of TrumpCare we've seen would be utterly devastating for New Mexico. Almost 300,000 New Mexicans would lose their health care. TrumpCare would eviscerate Medicaid, which 900,000 New Mexicans rely on. It would deal a huge blow to New Mexico's economy, killing as many as 50,000 jobs. TrumpCare would devastate rural hospitals, forcing many to close, and take away life-saving services from people struggling with addiction. And Republicans are doing all this just to give a massive tax cut to the wealthiest Americans.

"But this fight is not yet over. Two of my Republican colleagues voted 'no' today, and several others have raised deep concerns with the path that the Republican leadership is pursuing. It is not too late for the Senate to do the right thing. Over the last few months, I have heard from over 14,000 New Mexicans who have spoken out against TrumpCare, and about how repeal would be crushing for them and their families. In the days to come, New Mexicans and Americans must continue to make their voices heard like never before. I will proudly fight alongside them to protect the health, livelihoods, and lives of people in every corner of our state and our nation."