Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders Credit: File: Matthew Thorsen

Vermont’s two U.S. senators lambasted the Republican-controlled chamber’s decision Tuesday to begin debating repeal of the Affordable Care Act, calling it “dangerous” and “disastrous.”

Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) joined their 46 Democratic and independent colleagues, along with two Republicans, in opposing the effort, but Vice President Mike Pence broke a 50-50 tie. That allowed debate to go forward on legislation that could fundamentally alter the country’s health care system.

The vote came as a surprise to many, who assumed President Donald Trump’s effort to do away with Obamacare had failed last week after four key Republican senators announced they wouldn’t support a proposed replacement bill. Tuesday’s vote allows the debate on new health care legislation to proceed, but it’s unclear what version, if any, will actually pass.

In a statement released shortly after the vote, Sanders said, “The vote today to proceed on the health care bill is a step toward passing the most dangerous and destructive piece of legislation in the modern history of our country.” He added, “Make no mistake about it, thousands of Americans every year will die unnecessarily if this legislation is passed.”

Leahy responded similarly, calling the legislation “rash and disastrous” in a statement.

“Millions upon millions of Americans’ health is at stake,” Vermont’s senior senator continued. “This cynical vote is intended to lead to a final Trumpcare plan to kick millions of Americans off their insurance. Trumpcare is a tax plan, disguised as a health plan, to slash hundreds of billions from the Medicaid help that is vital to millions of Americans.”

Got something to say?

Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!

Alicia Freese was a Seven Days staff writer from 2014 through 2018.

6 replies on “Leahy, Sanders Condemn Senate Obamacare Repeal Vote”

  1. Ok folks the response by both of these Senators is proof they are not fit to serve. Today’s vote was to debate a new plan not pass a “disastrous” plan. Instead of looking at a chance to work out a plan that is acceptable to both sides all the bald bums can do is go on the attack about how the plan is going to lead to the extinction of mankind. How can a plan that has not been worked out yet kill anyone? This kind of thinking is not good for any American rich or poor, black or white, Democrat or Republican. It’s time to take back our freedom by voting incompetent leaders like Leahy and Sanders out.#TIMETOVOTETHEBALDGUYSOUT!!!

  2. So here’s the process from here. The Senate puts out something everybody hates but can get 51 votes with Pence.
    Then it goes to Reconciliation where anything good will be stripped out of it.
    John McCain made a grand speech. But this sausage factory ain’t about to straighten up and fly right.

  3. What do you expect from the 2 dumb democrats.. care about the citizens..?? Sanders seems to think by getting rid of obamacare that millions are going to die every yr..his words not mine but the liar deny saying it..but there’s a video..obamacare is a joke..Affordable care Act,,.then how come they don’t have it..not good enough for them but the citizens of the United States are forced to take it and if you don’t you’re fined a outrageous amount.. Course these 2 wants the socialist NWO ..Where one person controls the world, your money and your lives..Something when these politicians care more about their pockets instead of the citizens of the United States..Drain the Swamp in DC and in Vermont, especially in Montpelier..

  4. All congress does is think about themselves and how much of a pay increase they can get!! The ACA saved me but could use some improvement, that’s what they should do instead of repealing it .. The republicans are a bunch of old windbags who do nothing for this country and should have been tossed out a long time ago!!

  5. Trump and 45 Senate Republicans are all for universal health care for Trump and the Senators but they do not give a damn about the millions of Americans that do the dirty work, heavy lifting and attention to detail that keep the entire nations going. Were Trump and other hoarders of the nations wealth and the Republicans they own in government to just go away the nation would not miss them one damn bit aside from the fact that their looting from the lives of masses of Americans would end.

  6. @Osborne , like the democrats are so perfect..Guess you have been wearing blinder for yrs, especially the last 8 yrs..Our Country have never been so divided because that POS fraud that was in the WH,,It was the democrats that created the so called affordable care act..worse insurance ever..Yes there’s so called Republicans that are rhinos, aka democrats..the democrats are the ones who don’t care about anyone but themselves..got to line their pockets big time..that’s why the swamp blood suckers hate Pres Trump..They are afraid of losing their cushy jobs..These politicians need to realize they are “PUBLIC SERVANTS” to us not the other way around..We the taxpayers are the ones who signs their paychecks..We don’t pay them to fly all over the country promoting their “book” or take expensive trip to see the Pope for 5 mins..Democrats need to look into their own back yard before running their mouths..

Comments are closed.