Republican Leader Says Secret Health Care Meetings Open to "Anybody": Senate Democrats RSVP to Attend

Statement

Today, U.S Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA) joined with other Senate Democrats to respond to Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Thune's (R-SD) comments to his constituents that the secret Republican "working group" on Trumpcare was not actually secret and that "anybody" could attend if they wanted. Murray and other Democrats are sending Senator Thune RSVP cards letting him know they would like to take him up on this invitation, and are requesting information on the time and location of the next meeting.

"If Republican leaders are opening their secret Trumpcare meetings up to "anybody,' then we want to be there so we can let people across the country know exactly how this bill would increase health care costs, undermine women's access to health care, and cut off coverage for millions of families," said Senator Patty Murray. "Republicans have been desperate to keep their Trumpcare bill behind closed doors as they cut their final backroom deals before jamming it through the Senate, but we are looking forward to getting more details on the next Trumpcare meeting so we can attend and weigh in on behalf of the families we represent."

In addition to Senators Schumer and Murray, the following Democrats have sent RSVP cards:

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)

Senator Jack Reed (D-RI)

Senator Tom Carper (D-DE)

Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)

Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ)

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD)

Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO)

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)

Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)

Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR)

Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)

Senator Al Franken (D-MN

Senator Chris Coons (D-DE)

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)

Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI)

Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)

Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI)

Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM)

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA)

Senator Gary Peters (D-MI)

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)

Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH)

Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)

Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA)

On Monday, Senate Democrats sent a letter to Senate Republican leaders, complete with a comprehensive list of all 31 potential rooms to hold a formal committee hearing in the United States Senate, just in case the Republicans need help scheduling one on their new Trumpcare legislation.

Source