Today, Congressman Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), a chief deputy whip in the Democratic leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives, spoke on the House floor about the consequences of Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
Below are Congressman Crowley’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Mr. Speaker, today we are considering the first major legislation of the 112th Congress.
“Does this legislation create jobs? No. In fact, if this bill passes, over 4 million jobs will be lost over the next 10 years. Does it reduce the deficit? No. This bill will add $230 billion to the deficit. Does it strengthen the middle class? No. This bill will devastate millions of Americans who are finally free from the fear that they or their children will not have health insurance.
“I’ve heard from so many people in my district who are thankful for what health insurance reform has done for them. How can we go back home and tell them they will lose these protections?
“Seniors with high prescription drug costs could lose last year’s $250 check and see this year’s drug prices rise. Young adults who were able to remain on their parents’ plan will lose their coverage. Families of children with cancer will lose the assurance that their child cannot be denied treatment because of a pre-existing condition. Businesses that relied on last year’s health care tax credit will face financial uncertainty, putting jobs at risk. And worst of all, insurance companies will once again be back in charge of patient care.
“We cannot repeal health reform and return to our same old failed system.
“The Republicans aren’t offering any new solutions, and they can’t even tell you what their secret plan is.
“It’s part of their ‘Harry Houdini Health Care strategy’ – now you have health care, now you don’t.
“Our constituents deserve better. But don’t just take my word for it. Independent sources have confirmed the danger that repeal will cause to our country – stopping job creation, exploding the deficit, and even shortening the life of the Medicare trust fund by twelve years.
“This bill is clearly wrong for our economy and our country. We cannot go backwards. No way. No how. Not now. Not ever.”
Congressman Crowley is a seven-term representative from the 7th Congressional District of New York, which includes sections of Queens and the Bronx. He is a member of the Ways and Means Committee and is one of nine chief deputy whips in the Democratic leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives. Crowley has spearheaded the call for Republican members of Congress who support the repeal of the Affordable Care Act to “walk the walk” by declining their own taxpayer-subsidized health care and forgo enrollment in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP).
