[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 116 (Thursday, July 11, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S4790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                 Unanimous Consent Request--S. Res. 134

  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that as in legislative 
session, the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further 
consideration of S. Res. 134 and the Senate proceed to its immediate 
consideration; further, that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble 
be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid 
upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Young). Is there objection?
  The Senator from Wyoming.
  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, whether 
you support the ObamaCare law or oppose it--and let me be clear, I 
oppose it--it remains the law.
  This week, a Federal appellate court heard arguments related to the 
case of Texas v. United States, and I expect it will eventually end up 
before the U.S. Supreme Court.
  Regardless of the outcome, our commitment remains to protect people 
with preexisting conditions. As a doctor, as a husband of a breast 
cancer survivor, I know the importance of making sure patients can have 
access to high-quality healthcare at an affordable cost.
  Since the Obama healthcare law passed, this has not happened for many 
families to whom I speak at home in Wyoming. They keep telling me that 
ObamaCare made their insurance unaffordable, and it has made it more 
difficult for them to get the care they need. Simply put, they know 
that the Obama healthcare law has failed because they have personally 
experienced the law's sky-high premiums and fewer choices.
  It has taken Washington Democrats a little longer to figure that out. 
Now they are clamoring for a one-size-fits-all healthcare plan. They 
want a healthcare system controlled by Washington bureaucrats, and as a 
doctor, my focus is on making healthcare better for patients, period.
  Republicans in the Trump administration are taking on the tough 
issues facing patients across the country. We eliminated the individual 
mandate so that patients aren't punished for refusing to buy insurance 
they cannot afford. We support more insurance choices, such as 
association health plans, so folks can find the best coverage for 
themselves and their families. We are taking on the drug companies. 
Congress has already eliminated gag clauses, and more reforms are on 
the way. Finally, with the President's support, we are going to end 
surprise medical bills. Simply put, Republicans want patients to pay 
less for the coverage they already have.
  Democrats want to take away people's health insurance, especially the 
coverage they get through their work. It is simply wrong. The question 
is whether Washington Democrats are interested in actually solving the 
problem or playing politics.
  Therefore, I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  The Senator from New Hampshire.
  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I knew my colleague from Wyoming was 
going to object. I am disappointed in his objection, and I know he is a 
doctor. I believe he cares about his former patients. I believe he 
cares about providing healthcare to his constituents, as I believe all 
of my colleagues care about that.
  That is why I am so puzzled by why there has been a 9-year effort to 
try and undermine the Affordable Care Act and the healthcare that it 
provides to people in this country.
  As I said earlier, there is no followup plan that will provide 
coverage for people with preexisting conditions if the Affordable Care 
Act is overturned. There is no followup plan that will provide coverage 
for people with substance abuse disorders, for mental health coverage. 
That is all going to go out the window.
  By failing to send a clear message to the Justice Department that 
they should defend the Affordable Care Act, we are putting access to 
care at risk for millions of Americans across this country.
  What we should be doing--and we should have done it as soon as the 
effort to overturn the Affordable Care Act was defeated in 2017--is 
working together to put in place changes that make the Affordable Care 
Act work better. We should be looking for ways to provide coverage to 
people that is affordable, that provides quality healthcare, that is 
accessible to every American. Instead of that, we have no plan B. There 
is no bill that would provide coverage if this administration is 
successful in overturning the Affordable Care Act.
  I am very disappointed, though not surprised, by the reaction from my 
colleague from Wyoming.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Delaware.