Brooklyn Congressman Hakeem Jeffries said on Tuesday that Republicans have shown their “true colors” by attempting to invalidate Obamacare.
The Trump administration the day before asked a federal appeals court to invalidate the Affordable Care Act, Obamacare, as it is commonly called.
“Once again, the Republicans have shown their true colors,” said Jeffries, House Democratic Caucus Chair, who represents parts of Brooklyn and Queens in the 8th Congressional District, at the House Democratic leadership’s weekly press conference with House Democratic Caucus Chair Katherine Clark (D-MA).
“They simply cannot help themselves,” Jeffries added. “Americans all across the country woke up to news that the Trump Justice Department is once again launching an assault on health care in the United States of America.
“The Republicans want to take away health care from tens of millions of Americans again,” Jeffries added. “The Republicans want to impose what would be effectively an age tax on Americans between 50 and 64 forcing a dramatic increase in premiums, copays and deductibles.
“Once again, the Republicans want to strip away protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions,” he continued. “They simply cannot help themselves.”
The congressman noted that healthcare was a “defining issue” of the 2018 midterm elections.
“We embraced this fight because House Democrats were given the majority in order to defend health care on behalf of everyday Americans, and that is exactly what we are doing,” he said.
Later, on Tuesday afternoon, Chairman Frank Pallone, Chairman Bobby Scott, as well as other Members of the House Democratic Caucus, including Chairman Richard Neal, introduced legislation to strengthen the Affordable Care Act.
Jeffries said that legislation will protect Americans with pre-existing conditions.
“Our legislation will expand access to health care coverage, while, at the same time, the Trump Justice Department files reckless legal papers to try and destroy health care for tens of millions of Americans,” he said. “You can’t make this up!
“And so, there’s a clear contrast in terms of what we as House Democrats are about and what Republicans are about,” Jeffries added. “Republicans fight for the wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected.
“Democrats fight for working families, middle-class folks, senior citizens, the poor, the sick and the afflicted. Period. Full stop,” Jeffries continued. “That’s the contrast, and it’s going to play itself out in front of the American people.”
