Since Democrats are united in opposing Trump Care, we need 23 Republicans to vote NO to kill this bill. The Huffington Post lists the current whip count at 20 NO, 8 Lean NO, 13 Undecided and 14 Lean Yes.
I saw my congressional rep Tom Emmer (R-MN-06) was listed as “Lean Yes.” I had never called his office before thinking it would be a wasted effort. After all, he’s a solid Republican and I assumed he would never vote the way I wanted him to. But I have been inspired. I am inspired by how many local Democrats who were never that involved in politics before suddenly are. I know people who went to his town hall meeting who had never gone to a town hall meeting before all because Trump and the Republicans have brought them out. I have also been inspired by how many of you have called Republican reps.
You all need to stand up and take a bow! We defeated Trump Care 1.0. It’s looking increasingly like we will defeat Trump Care 2.0. The calls are working!
My call to his office went fine. I just gave my name, said I live in his district, and expressed my “strong view” that he vote NO on this bill because it will cause millions of Americans to lose health care coverage. The person I spoke to just asked for my address probably because they want to track how many calls are actually from constituents vs. out of district. She then said “I will mark that down.” She did not comment on how he planned to vote. I didn’t press because I am not used to making these calls. Should have I?
In real life outside of Daily Kos, I don’t see people divided into factions or fighting over the primary or trying to sue the DNC. I see people attending events, making phone calls, writing emails, and posting on social media who never used to. I think it may be having an impact. For the first time a lot of congressional Republicans may be hearing from a lot of Democrats who live in their districts who never called before thinking there was no point in it. Maybe that’s why some Republicans are having seconds thoughts?
If you have a Republican congressional rep, and haven’t called yet please do so!! I want to someday live in a country where health care is a right, not a privilege. I want to live in a country where no American needs to die, or have years taken off their life, or lose their home, life savings, or declare bankruptcy all because they couldn’t afford medical care. The ACA moved us in the right direction. We need to fix it and build on it, not repeal it.
Nate Silver has also posted this health care bill is going to hurt Trump’s working class voters- link here.