WASHINGTON—In response to the Senate vote opening debate on the Republican assault on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), People For the American Way Executive Vice President Marge Baker released the following statement:

“Even after overwhelming opposition by people all across the country to every version of Trumpcare, the Senate GOP took another step towards gutting health care for millions of Americans. By jamming this vote through today, Republicans voted blindly to begin debate without even knowing what bill it is they’re debating. But whether it is a straight repeal of the ACA or some cobbled together skinny repeal, it’s unquestionable that the goal of this contorted legislative process is to ensure that millions of ordinary people will end up losing their health care, especially seniors, low-income families, women, those with preexisting conditions, people with disabilities, and people of color.

“Republicans once again abandoned promises they made that they would not support legislation that jeopardized health coverage. Instead of listening to the American people, the GOP kowtowed to the will of President Trump and their party leadership, endangering the health and lives of their own constituents. Stripping health care away from millions of Americans is absolutely indefensible, and today Republicans displayed just how far they are willing to go in the name of partisan politics.”

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values including free expression, religious liberty, equal justice under the law, and the right to meaningfully participate in our democracy.

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