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1/ Republicans are suddenly trying to pretend that their rush to confirm Amy Coney Barrett isn't about ACA repeal.
They are lying.
I've put together in one thread the story of their 10 year plan to get rid of the ACA. It all leads to this moment.
Please read the whole thing.
They are lying.
I've put together in one thread the story of their 10 year plan to get rid of the ACA. It all leads to this moment.
Please read the whole thing.
2/ From the start, Republicans were obsessed - I mean OBSESSED - with getting rid of the ACA. Nothing mattered more.
From 2010-2017, they tried to repeal all or part of the ACA 70 times. Their most high profile failure was, of course, in summer 2017. https://www.newsweek.com/gop-health-care-bill-repeal-and-replace-70-failed-attempts-643832
From 2010-2017, they tried to repeal all or part of the ACA 70 times. Their most high profile failure was, of course, in summer 2017. https://www.newsweek.com/gop-health-care-bill-repeal-and-replace-70-failed-attempts-643832
3/ At first, Republicans' chanted "repeal and replace" - but they NEVER had a plan to replace it.
In 2017, with much fanfare, Paul Ryan unveiled the most serious replacement bill Republicans had ever offered. It ended health care for 23 million Americans. https://www.npr.org/2017/05/24/529902300/cbo-republicans-ahca-would-leave-23-million-more-uninsured
In 2017, with much fanfare, Paul Ryan unveiled the most serious replacement bill Republicans had ever offered. It ended health care for 23 million Americans. https://www.npr.org/2017/05/24/529902300/cbo-republicans-ahca-would-leave-23-million-more-uninsured
4/ But after McCain's thumbs down in 2017, Republicans came up with a new plan. If voters wouldn't allow them to repeal the ACA through the elected branch of government, then they would go another way - the courts.
McConnell and Trump put together a devious, detailed plan.
McConnell and Trump put together a devious, detailed plan.
5/ The plan began with tucking into the 2017 Trump tax bill a repeal of the individual mandate tax. Curiously, the bill left intact the mandate.
This was purposeful, bc the Supreme Court had upheld the ACA in 2012 based on the existence of the tax. https://www.scotusblog.com/2012/06/dont-call-it-a-mandate-its-a-tax/
This was purposeful, bc the Supreme Court had upheld the ACA in 2012 based on the existence of the tax. https://www.scotusblog.com/2012/06/dont-call-it-a-mandate-its-a-tax/
6/ Then McConnell began his campaign to pack the federal courts w anti-ACA ideologues who would rule against the ACA.
He blocked Obama's nominees for 2 years, creating 100+ vacancies for Trump, and most importantly, stole a SCOTUS nomination from Obama. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2018/06/04/senate-obstructionism-handed-judicial-vacancies-to-trump/
He blocked Obama's nominees for 2 years, creating 100+ vacancies for Trump, and most importantly, stole a SCOTUS nomination from Obama. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2018/06/04/senate-obstructionism-handed-judicial-vacancies-to-trump/
7/ Then, the court strategy began. 20 GOP AGs filed a suit alleging that the repeal of the mandate tax required the entire ACA to be invalidated (surprise!).
When Trump took office, he broke with precedent and joined the suit against his own government. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/26/trump-administration-backs-federal-judges-ruling-that-obamacare-is-unconstitutional.html
When Trump took office, he broke with precedent and joined the suit against his own government. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/26/trump-administration-backs-federal-judges-ruling-that-obamacare-is-unconstitutional.html
8/ Many thought the suit, Texas v. U.S., was bogus, but they underestimated McConnell and Trump's plan. Last December, the 5th Circuit ruled for the plaintiffs - the entire ACA should be invalidated.
It was a Trump appointed judge who provided the pivotal vote (surprise again!).
It was a Trump appointed judge who provided the pivotal vote (surprise again!).
9/ Now the case is in front of SCOTUS. Alito and Thomas have already ruled against the ACA. Their votes are known. And really, so are those of Kavanaugh/Gorsuch. Trump promised to only appoint judges who would strike down the ACA. So the court is now likely 4-4 on the case.
10/ So Trump decided to take no chances when picking the deciding vote. Amy Coney Barrett is a no doubter. She is vocal in her belief that the ACA is unconstitutional. She's a lock to be the 5th vote to invalidate the ACA. https://www.businessinsider.com/trumps-supreme-court-nominee-vocal-opponent-of-obamacare-2020-9
11/ That's why Republicans are rushing her nomination. The hearing on the case is the week after election day. They NEED Coney-Barrett on the court for the hearing, so that they can get a 5-4 decision to invalidate the ACA by early next year.
So their plan can be complete.
So their plan can be complete.
