Democrats seize on DOJ's ObamaCare decision ahead of midterms

Congressional Democrats are seizing on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) decision to not defend key parts of ObamaCare in court, signaling they think the issue could pay political dividends in November. The DOJ, as part of its announcement late last week, argued the law’s protections for people with pre-existing conditions should be invalidated because the individual mandate that required people have insurance or pay a penalty is now repealed. Despite a flurry of North Korea news on Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerOvernight Health Care: US showing signs of retreat in battle against COVID-19 | Regeneron begins clinical trials of potential coronavirus antibody treatment | CMS warns nursing homes against seizing residents’ stimulus checks Schumer requests briefing with White House coronavirus task force as cases rise Schumer on Trump’s tweet about 75-year-old protester: He ‘should go back to hiding in the bunker’ MORE (D-N.Y.) started his weekly news conference with reporters by talking about health care, saying his caucus would not be “diverted.”  ADVERTISEMENT”Democrats have not and will not lose sight of the fact that the Trump administration and the Republican Congress have systematically worked to sabotage our health-care system. … If you ask the American people the number one issue they care about it’s health care, not anything else,” Schumer said. Schumer said the DOJ’s decision was “shameful” and Democrats will try to force health care-related votes on the Senate floor throughout the summer.  “This November, Americans will go to the polls knowing that President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE and Republicans in Congress have spent two years dismantling the nation’s health-care system. They’ll have the opportunity to vote to move the country in a different direction,” he added. In addition to Schumer’s comments, Democratic Sen. Chris MurphyChristopher (Chris) Scott MurphyState, city education officials press Congress for more COVID-19 funds The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Trump takes victory lap in morning news conference Pelosi demands Trump clarify deployment of unidentified law enforcement in DC MORE (Conn.) held a conference call with reporters earlier Tuesday to discuss the DOJ’s decision and House Democrats are expected to hold a press conference on the issue Wednesday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote GOP senator to try to reverse requirement that Pentagon remove Confederate names from bases No, ‘blue states’ do not bail out ‘red states’ MORE (R-Ky.) told reporters on Tuesday that “everybody” in the Senate is in favor of protecting individuals with pre-existing conditions. “Everybody I know in the Senate — everybody — is in favor of maintaining coverage for pre-existing conditions. There is no difference in opinion about that whatsoever,” McConnell said at his weekly press conference. McConnell also blamed Democrats for not agreeing to a health-insurance market stabilization package last year hashed out by GOP Sens. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsRepublicans prepare to punt on next COVID-19 relief bill Trump tweets spark fresh headache for Republicans Trump’s tweet on protester sparks GOP backlash  MORE (Maine) and Lamar AlexanderAndrew (Lamar) Lamar AlexanderState, city education officials press Congress for more COVID-19 funds Hillicon Valley: Senators raise concerns over government surveillance of protests | Amazon pauses police use of its facial recognition tech | FBI warns hackers are targeting mobile banking apps Republicans prepare to punt on next COVID-19 relief bill MORE (Tenn.). Schumer fired back that Republicans should urge the Trump administration to reverse its decision not to defend key parts of the health-care law. Meanwhile, David Bergstein, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said in a statement that Republicans “want to slash coverage for pre-existing conditions.” “Voters will hold every Republican Senate candidate accountable for spiking their costs and slashing their coverage,” he added.  Democrats have viewed the fight over ObamaCare during the Trump administration as a winning issue for them politically. No Democratic senator voted for the GOP legislation last year that would repeal or repeal and replace the health-care law.  More than 1 in 5 voters, 22 percent, say that health care is their top issue in the November midterm election, according to a NBC News–Wall Street Journal poll released earlier this month.  Sen. Claire McCaskillClaire Conner McCaskillMissouri county issues travel advisory for Lake of the Ozarks after Memorial Day parties Senate faces protracted floor fight over judges amid pandemic safety concerns Amash on eyeing presidential bid: ‘Millions of Americans’ want someone other than Trump, Biden MORE (D-Mo.), who is running for reelection in a state won by Trump, retweeted an individual saying voters who support protections for pre-existing conditions should vote for her, adding “just. that. simple.” Democratic Sen. Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinTrump administration seeks to use global aid for nuclear projects Shelley Moore Capito wins Senate primary West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice wins GOP gubernatorial primary MORE (W-Va.) highlighted the issue in a tweet, saying that “an ongoing lawsuit would allow insurance companies to once again deny coverage to [West Virginians] with pre-existing conditions.” The original brief from GOP-led states targeting the health-care law included Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley (R), who is running to unseat McCaskill, and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R), who is running to unseat Manchin. Meanwhile, American Bridge, an outside super PAC, launched digital ads against GOP candidates in key Senate battleground states, including Nevada, where GOP Sen. Dean HellerDean Arthur HellerOn The Trail: Democrats plan to hammer Trump on Social Security, Medicare Lobbying World Democrats spend big to put Senate in play MORE is the only Republican Senate incumbent running in a state won by Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE.  Click Here: cheap all stars rugby jersey

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