Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Urging Republicans To Vote For His Amendment That Would Lower Health Care Costs For All Americans

Washington, D.C. - Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke on the Senate floor prior to a vote on his amendment that would guarantee no reconciliation bill is considered unless it lowers out-of-pocket health care costs for Americans. Below are Senator Schumer's remarks:

Republicans say they want to lower health care costs. Well, here is a chance, here is a chance for you, a chance for Republicans to join Senate Democrats to start doing something about it once and for all.

Tonight, with the very first amendment of the evening, I am offering Republicans an exceedingly simple option: we should not consider any reconciliation bill that does not lower out-of-pocket health care costs for the American people.

Republicans slashed $1 trillion from our health care system as part of their "Big, Ugly Bill."

Since then, premiums have soared by thousands of dollars a month for millions of people, prescription drug prices are up by 600%, out-of-pocket costs have gone up for people with Medicare, Medicaid, ACA.

And instead of pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into ICE and Border Patrol, Republicans should be working with Democrats to lower out-of-pocket costs.

Republicans: listen to the American people! They're crying out for you to lower their health care costs, not play these ridiculous, ridiculous games by adding so much more to ICE and [Border Patrol]. So, Republicans, listen to the American people, say no to billions more for unrestrained rogue agents, and say yes to lower premiums, lower health care costs, healthier families.

I urge a yes vote.

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