WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) for a discussion about how the Trump Administration and congressional Republicans have refused to negotiate with Democrats to prevent a government shut down and protect Americans from skyrocketing health care costs, while providing tax cuts to billionaires. Senator Welch underscored how Republicans’ willingness to cede congressional authority to the executive branch has emboldened President Trump’s illegal rampage and put health care out of reach for working families. 

Read Senator Welch’s remarks below: 

“People who have been watching can see we’re in a fighting mood. And I’ll tell you why: it is a rip-off, what is going on—this transfer of wealth with the billionaire tax cut, and then cutting health care to pay for it. And what is more important to all of our families than having some confidence that if a person we love—a child, a partner—gets sick, we can get the care that they need? This has been a Republican agenda—Donald Trump agenda—whereas though you ‘reform’ health care by taking health care away from people,” said Senator Welch. “We have got to defend health care and stop taking it away from people.” 

“The second thing that we have to stand up for is acknowledging that we’ve got a President who is lawless; who is trampling the constitutional rights of the people of this country; who is disregarding the responsibilities and the independent authority of Congress. And we have to deal with a Republican majority that is willing to cede that responsibility, to give their authority to the President when he’s using it to take away health care. And by the way, on the cost…a Vermont family making $82,000—a family of four—their premiums can go up $20,000 a year. Think about that. Outrageous! So, we’re here to fight—for you, and against authoritarianism.” 

Watch Senator Sanders’ livestream below: 

Earlier today, Senator Welch joined Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) for a spotlight forum on the need for Congress to extend the soon-expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits that have made health care more affordable for tens of millions of Americans. 

Read an excerpt of Senator Welch’s remarks from the hearing: 

“It’s really shocking, what’s going on here in Washington. It’s truly shocking to me that we’re actually having a public policy debate about whether we cut health care, as opposed to improve health care. And the theory of the case, for folks who are in favor of this trillion dollar cut in Medicaid—and now expiration of the credits that have been a lifeline—has at its core, a premise that if you don’t have health care, you won’t get sick,” said Senator Welch. 

“This trillion dollars in cuts in Medicaid—you know, a $150 billion out of the hospitals—it’s not just a $150 billion out of the hospitals, because all those folks who used to have Medicaid are going to still get sick and show up at our community hospitals and get treated. And our hospitals will provide that care as long as they can, but there’ll come a point where they’re bankrupt. I mean, that’s literally what we’re talking about.” 

Watch Senator Welch’s full remarks from the spotlight hearing. 

Learn more about the Senator’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media. 

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