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Senate Democrats Plan Late-Night Obamacare Speeches

Schumer: Health care law repeal will unleash chaos in insurance market

Capitol workers move cots in the Senate basement on Monday morning. Senate Democrats say they’ll go late into the night to speak about Republican efforts to repeal the 2010 health care law. (Todd Ruger/CQ Roll Call)
Capitol workers move cots in the Senate basement on Monday morning. Senate Democrats say they’ll go late into the night to speak about Republican efforts to repeal the 2010 health care law. (Todd Ruger/CQ Roll Call)

Senate Democrats are planning to hold the Senate floor late into the night Monday to make speeches about the 2010 health care law as Republicans look to adopt a budget resolution this week, which would start the process for repealing the law.

“We cannot allow Republicans to make America sick again by repealing the ACA without a replacement plan that will ensure millions of Americans are not kicked off of their insurance, seniors do not face cuts to their Medicare, women are not denied access to care because of their gender, and many other groups, including Medicaid recipients, do not suffer,” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said in a statement, referring to the health care law.

The New York Democrat said the GOP goal of dismantling the law would “create chaos” in the insurance market.

[Senate Republicans Start Obamacare Repeal Process]

“Tonight, we are taking to the floor and social media to denounce this plan and warn the American people that the Democrats will be fighting tooth and nail against this potentially catastrophic move,” Schumer said. 

In addition to the floor speeches, Senate Democrats will host a live video event on Facebook with groups including Families USA, Planned Parenthood, and the Service Employees International Union.

The GOP-led Senate is expected to advance the budget resolution late Wednesday or early Thursday. The resolution starts the budget reconciliation process through which committees will craft legislation to repeal much of President Barack Obama’s signature health care law. 

House and Senate Preview: Obamacare Repeal Set Up and Trump Cabinet Hearings 

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[Ep. 35: Steps to Repealing Obamacare and the Republican Stragglers]

Republicans are still discussing the timing for undoing the law and passing a replacement plan. Some Senate Republicans have argued that they must vote on a replacement plan immediately after repealing the law. 

“We will be replacing it rapidly after repealing it,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” Asked to clarify if that meant months or days, the Kentucky Republican said, “Quickly.”

Democrats will have competition for viewers with the college football championship scheduled for Monday night.

Niels Lesniewski contributed to this report.

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