This afternoon, without the votes to pass their version of Trumpcare, Senate Majority Leaders delayed this week’s planned health care vote. Resistance is working but the fight is far from over. The vote may be delayed but that doesn’t mean GOP leaders are giving up their fight to strip health care away from millions of Americans in order to give a tax break to the wealthy.
Why don’t Senate leaders have the votes? One reason is that yesterday the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released its analysis of the Senate’s bill and confirmed that it is every bit as “mean” and immoral as the House version. The Senate’s bill will rip health insurance from 22 million people by 2026. And 15 of those 22 million will be uninsured by next year. The bill also devastates Medicaid and allows states to waive coverage for essential health benefits like maternity coverage and mental health treatment. More on the CBO score here.
ACTION OF THE DAY
Stop Trumpcare. Once and for all. The vote delay proves that our voices matter. We can stop Trumpcare. But we can’t give up now. If you’re in the DC area get details for events happening all week here. If you’re not in DC, find a vigil for those who will suffer from ACA repeal near you here happening today. No events near you? Take action from home! TrumpcareToolkit.org has everything you need to contact the Senators who need to hear from you most.
WHAT’S TRENDING
Losses. If the Senate health care bill passes, 22 million people will lose their health insurance. Find out how many of those people live in your state here. Watch these videos to hear stories from people who will be impacted by ACA repeal. Then call your Senator.
Awkward Hugs. Yesterday, Trump met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi saw Trump’s handshake and raised him a bear hug, promising closer ties between India and the U.S. Nationalist movements in both countries and Trump’s “America First” posturing is putting the U.S.-India relationship in peril. Here’s why it’s so important that the U.S. and India have each other’s backs.
New Science. A new analysis is out today that finds that the 22 national parks and monuments under attack from the Trump administration are – scientifically and ecologically speaking – some of the best in the country. Use the interactive tool to explore these parks and monuments, then let the Trump administration know that you oppose any efforts to alter or eliminate them.
FACT CHECK
“The Biggest Ever.” That’s how Trump described the crowd at his inauguration. Press Secretary Sean Spicer said it was “the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration—period. Both in person and around the world.” Then photo evidence hit Twitter proving those claims false and causing the Trump Administration to make outlandish claims about the National Park Service. Now an official National Park Service investigation confirmed that no park service employee altered any information having to do with the Inauguration. The crowds just actually were smaller.
UNDER THE RADAR
North Carolina. The Republican-led state legislature has been waging attacks designed to undermine Governor Roy Cooper’s (D) powers since he was elected last November. But the attacks on democracy haven’t stopped there. Now, the state House is working to rig the state courts in favor of the GOP legislature. Now, the House is considering plans to gerrymander the state’s districts for prosecutorial and judicial elections. This isn’t the first time the legislature has tried to gerrymander judges. Get the full story on the current fight and past efforts here.
GOOD NEWS
#ActOnClimate. In the wake of the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the landmark Paris Agreement, states and companies have pledged to take action to meet the U.S. commitments in the agreement. Now cities have joined the fight, approving resolutions vowing to redouble their efforts to fight climate and urging the federal government to reverse its decision on Paris.