Healthcare Vote Update & John Lewis Brings the Fire

The final floor vote on the healthcare [sic] legislation is currently scheduled for 4pm ET. (KEEP CALLING!)

Speaker Paul Ryan met with Donald Trump earlier, purportedly to tell him that they don't have the votes. But I am not taking anything for granted unless and until this thing fails.

Meanwhile, Rep. John Lewis BROUGHT THE FIRE to the House floor in opposition to this bill, and it was fucking amazing.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this bill. As elected representatives, we have a mission, an obligation, and a mandate to fight for each and every American.

I ask you, Mr. Speaker, who will stand for the American people? Who will speak for those who have been left out and left behind? Mr. Speaker, I've said it time and time again: Healthcare is a right. It is not a privilege reserved for a wealthy few. For what does it profit this body to pass this bill and lose our soul?

This bill is a shame. It is a disgrace. Mr. Speaker, today my heart breaks for the disabled, for women, for seniors, and working families. My heart aches for those who are living paycheck to paycheck. My heart mourns for innocent little children whose very lives depend on if their family can pay the bills.

This is the heart and soul of the matter. We cannot abandon our principles. Mr. Speaker, we cannot forget our values. I've fought too hard and too long to back down now. I will fight any bill that turns the clock back to a darker time. I will fight every single attempt to turn a deaf ear, a blind eye, and a cold shoulder to the sick! To our seniors! And to working families!

Mr. Speaker, I will fight every day, every hour, every minute, and every second! I oppose this bill with every breath and every bone in my body! We must not give up! We cannot. I will not give in. Not today, not tomorrow, and NEVER! EVER!

On this bill, there's only one option, and that option is to vote NO! We can do better, Mr. Speaker. We must do better! Vote no on this bill!

Thank you, @repjohnlewis, thank you!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 24, 2017

It's not just that @repjohnlewis is right. It's that he brought the APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF EMOTION to a fight that is literally life & death.

— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) March 24, 2017

THAT is what an elected representative who cares about the people he represents looks like.

Not that Paul Ryan would be able to recognize it with his cold, dead eyes.