[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 11, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               OBAMACARE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, when ObamaCare's supporters forced 
their partisan law on our country, they promised an easy-to-use 
system--one that would lower premiums and out-of-pocket health care 
costs, one that would foster choice and allow families to keep the 
plans and doctors they liked.
  But it didn't take long for the American people to discover the truth 
about ObamaCare. Too many have been personally hurt by this law. Too 
many feel they are worse off than they were before ObamaCare. Listening 
to their stories helps to explain why they might feel this way.
  For instance, too many Americans say their ObamaCare plans are too 
expensive to actually use. Too many say their ObamaCare premiums have 
gone up and up, although their options have diminished. Too many say 
their choices on ObamaCare have deteriorated to just one or two 
insurers.
  These are some of the realities of ObamaCare for too many families in 
Kentucky and across the country. These are some inconvenient realities 
that those who continue to defend this failed law must finally face up 
to. Remember, even former President Clinton called ObamaCare ``the 
craziest thing in the world.'' This was Bill Clinton on ObamaCare.
  So it is little wonder that 8 in 10 favor changing ObamaCare 
significantly or replacing it altogether. We must act quickly to bring 
relief to the American people. I hope Democrats will work with us as we 
take the next steps toward repealing and replacing this failing law.
  Tonight, Senators from both parties will have an important 
opportunity to take a vote on the legislative tools necessary to repeal 
ObamaCare. Then we can send it to the House and begin taking the next 
steps to finally move away from ObamaCare, while we move ahead with 
smarter health care policies. This is what the American people have 
called for us to do. It is the best way forward for our country and the 
people we represent.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________