Senate Minority Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., argued Monday that the Obamacare repeal bill offered by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., is a “red siren moment” for the U.S. and is more dangerous than any of the previous Republican-led bills.
“After a few weeks of lying dormant, Trumpcare is back and it’s meaner than ever,” Schumer said in a press conference at the Capitol. “While this latest version of Trumpcare may live under a new name… no matter how many ways Republicans try to dress it up, this bill is even more dangerous than its predecessors.”
“Let me be clear: This is a red-siren moment for the entire country,” Schumer said.
The bill, introduced by Graham, Cassidy, Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., and Sen. Ron Johnson, would give states control over Affordable Care Act funding and subsidies, turning them into block grants that could be used locally.
The New York Democrat reiterated his call for the Congressional Budget Office for a full score of the bill ahead of any potential vote. The CBO announced Monday that it hopes to have a “preliminary assessment” of the bill by early next week.
“To do this in the dark of night when it affects so many people and so many dollars, to not have hearings, to not have debate, to not have a full CBO score is legislative malpractice of the highest order,” Schumer said.
Schumer talked up discussions between Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., that would shore up the insurance markets. The proposal, however, has run into issues with Republicans who believe the proposal is a bailout to insurance companies.
“It’s the way the way things should work — hearings, sunlight, bipartisan agreement,” Schumer said as he invoked Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who has been a vocal proponent of regular order, bipartisanship and going through the committee process.
“That’s the kind of legislating Sen. McCain was talking about. That’s what we were sent by our constituents to do. That’s what the founding fathers envisioned when they created this great republic,” Schumer said. “Let’s not forsake all of that … to get a political scalp.”
Schumer said that he expects Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., to return to Washington to vote against the legislation. Menendez is currently on trial in New Jersey and faces 12 corruption-related counts, including bribery.
