Washington, D.C. – Today, Republicans passed a healthcare repeal bill through the House of Representatives despite unanimous opposition from Democratic lawmakers. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports that, should the bill become law, an estimated 24 million Americans will lose healthcare coverage. Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) releases the following statement:

“The passage of today’s healthcare repeal bill was a tragic case of Republican leadership putting politics over people.” said Rep. Sewell. “The GOP rushed this bill through the House without pausing to get a full estimate of what it will cost or how many lives it will impact. That’s legislative malpractice. I voted against TrumpCare because we know it will drive healthcare prices up for working families all while lowering the quality of coverage they receive. I opposed this bill because it will force older Americans to pay premiums five times higher than what others pay for health coverage, while at the same time shortening the life of the Medicare Trust Fund that many seniors depend on. I voted no because TrumpCare will gut essential health benefits, and because my constituents deserve better. Today’s bill is a disaster for Alabama and a raw deal for the American people.”

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Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.