WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, dozens of protesters staged a “die-in” – blocking the hallway in front of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office – to protest against the Republican Party’s new healthcare reform bill, the American Healthcare Act (AHCA).
Hundreds of protesters participating in a "die-in" in front of McConnell's office in Russell They are lining the hallway. USCP on scene
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) June 22, 2017
Video of the protesters was captured by the Washington Post and placed, via live stream, on its YouTube channel.
Security had to drag protesters away from McConnell’s office.
Security is quite literally dragging people away from outside McConnell's office pic.twitter.com/70uJ4P88rS
— Steve Kopack (@SteveKopack) June 22, 2017
According to the Washington Post, “the sit-in was organized by ADAPT, which advocates for people with disabilities and brought several dozen protesters to Capitol Hill on Thursday.”
One of the female protesters who was taken away by police could be heard chanting nonstop, “No cuts to Medicaid!”
According to Axios, McConnell has indicated that he intends to vote on the repeal and replacement of the Obamacare bill before the July 4 recess so that Congress can proceed to focus on other critical issues like tax reform and the budget when they return.
The protests coincided with the GOP-controlled Senate’s release of their version of the healthcare bill, which was made public to the American people on Thursday. The Democrats used the Twitter hashtag #ShowUsTheBill several days before to protest what they referred to as the “mystery” bill.
However, the Senate’s release of the bill on Thursday contradicted that rhetoric and placed a shining spotlight on the hypocrisy of the Democratic Party.
In 2009, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said, “But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.”
Breitbart News reported Thursday:
The Senate features more generous tax credits for low-income and older Americans, a slower rollback of Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion, and retains many of Obamacare’s taxes.
Senate leadership attempted to write a more generous version of health care reform compared to the House-passed American Health Care Act (AHCA). The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported that the House-passed AHCA would cause 23 million Americans to lose health insurance over the next ten years while reducing the deficit by $119 billion.
Prior to Thursday’s “die-in” in front of McConnell’s offices, protesters on the opposite coast held a “die-in” in San Francisco on Wednesday.
"RIP 23 million Americans losing coverage."
Activists host a #DieIn rally for healthcare outside San Francisco's Federal Building: pic.twitter.com/sozvnHhhJG
— Splinter (@splinter_news) June 22, 2017
Similar die-ins have occurred throughout the nation in recent weeks:
We held a #DieIn in #NewHaven b/c #Trumpcare = Death #Dying4Care @CaitPersists @ActTogetherCT #ATN @ActionNH @ATCT_NF @ATC_NLC pic.twitter.com/4zzRCqMEji
— Analis (@AnalisQuintman) June 14, 2017
In #nypride2016, hundreds staged a #diein: dropping to the ground as if they were dead, to protest the lax #gunlaws. #nypride2017 is 6/25! pic.twitter.com/NR2z4hZaV3
— Ian Chan (@nycdaydream) June 12, 2017
PA people are so weird. They like living long, healthy lives or something. @SenToomey @SenCasey #DieIn pic.twitter.com/c7B8OKPiTf
— Magickitty (@magickitty) June 10, 2017
.@SenatorMenendez #DieIn #resistance funeral Sun 6/4 12pm, 535 E Main, Marlton NJ #dying4care #stopTrumpcare https://t.co/GliYzaXos7
— postcardsforAmerica (@postcards4USA) June 5, 2017
Another die-in is planned for Friday in front of the office of Senator Rob Portman (R-OH).
#PROTEST! Join the Statewide #DieIn on #June23 @ NOON to #protest Health Care Repeal! https://t.co/Ya8fIqw748 pic.twitter.com/O8vNo8Az2h
— Gina (@redhed67) June 21, 2017
Adelle Nazarian is a politics and national security reporter for Breitbart News. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
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