No one seemed more devastated over the plan than members of the Congressional Black Caucus, however. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), who read to reporters a constituent letter urging him to oppose the deal, said, “A number of Members are concerned that you have a strong tea party, which is at the far right, which is basically holding Congress and the nation hostage, and a lot of people are concerned.”
“This is a process, and we just can’t make a decision for this moment, we have to make it for years to come,” the Maryland Democrat said when asked if he would support the measure. “The ramifications of this deal ... are going to be long-lasting.”
Rep. Bill Cassidy has his blood drawn by Alesha Barbour during a free hepatitis screening in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus to recognize "National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day."
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