American Health Care Act of 2017

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman.

I am really proud, Mr. Speaker, of the Budget Committee. We did great work last week, and everyone was heard: six motions on the Republican side, six motions on the Democratic side, and the debate was civil.

Tones weren't raised; theatrics, by and large, weren't employed; and we made the bill better. That was the process the week before that when the committees of jurisdiction had this legislation.

It is my hope that, as we pass this bill off the floor of the House-- and it is a bill being passed off the floor of the House and not into law right now--and as it goes to the Senate, that the bill will continue to be improved. That is the legislative process.

I am very proud of the members of the staff of the Budget Committee for being a major part of that process and starting that process. We did good work. You don't have to pass this bill to find out what is in it as we had to with ObamaCare. This process will continue.

I am very pleased, also, that we have Medicaid block grants, or lump sum payments to the States, that are available now to cover at least our able-bodied children and adults. It is a huge step forward in letting States have the flexibility they need to decide who really needs this assistance, how they should get it, and what they should get in terms of health care.

This is good legislation. This is what we were sent to do, and we are keeping our promises to the American people by passing this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

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