We Were United: Defeating The Skinny Bill

Recalling the long night and our major battle in the fight to save healthcare.

Carlos F. McKnight
Jul 28, 2017 · 2 min read
July 27, myself and many others joined on the Capitol lawn to fight the repeal of the Affordable Care Act

Since the November Election, people were distraught and in disbelief about the horrid journey we may face with the new President who would soon take the White House just a few months later. After the inauguration we continued to fight. With marches like the Woman’s March, March For Science, People’s Climate March and many others we were in the streets to stand and resist the efforts by an unorthodox experience with the current administration.

However, one issue that many people saw a great effort and rally behind was healthcare. Over the past few months while republicans took to the House and passed a horrid repeal bill it took the senate a few more months to put together a series of bills that were even worse.

Throughout the whole week people came together of all factions of the spectrum and perspective of the healthcare debate. They said save the ACA and fix it!

As it all began to boil down Republicans in the Senate congregate and voted — first they failed. Congregated again and voted — failed again. Then came to last night and is the early morning of today, where Mitch McConnell decided to hold a final floor vote at 2 AM.

People were worried, scared and anxious as to what could happen. When it came to the vote, people watched from home and many whom I rallied with outside the capitol to see what may happen.

When the vote came, the Senate floor was silent, the clerk went one by one calling senators by their last name to vote. Then the clerk said “Senator McCain,” his response was “No” and the chamber erupted with gasps and he saved the Affordable Care Act for now. We were happy and relieved and we had finally won this long uphill battle, but not yet this war on the monstrosity by the Republican party.

In the end Democratic Leader Schumer (D-NY) gave closing remarks saying that “we are not celebrating, we are relieved.”

Carlos F. McKnight

Written by

Poli-Sci Major • Policy Wonk • Community Organizer

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