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Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Votes to Cut Off Justice Department Funds for Anti-ACA Lawsuit

July 30, 2020

Media Contact: Robert Julien (DC): Email: Robert.julien@mail.house.gov; Cell: 202-227-0330

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) voted to pass an amendment to prevent the Justice Department from spending any federal funds for the Trump Administration's lawsuit to strike down the Affordable Care Act.

"For months, the coronavirus crisis has ravaged communities in Texas and across the country, affecting the lives and livelihoods of every American," said Congresswoman Garcia. "Today, as our nation reached a staggering 4.5 million people infected, the need for access to quality, affordable health care is more critical than ever. Yet, despite the risk to the health and financial security of families in Texas and across the country, Republicans continue to advance their shameful anti-health care lawsuit to dismantle the entirety of the ACA and destroy every last life-saving protection for seniors, families and all Americans. I am proud to join my colleagues to pass this amendment to oppose the Trump Administration's dangerous lawsuit and protect the safety of Texas families during this unprecedented health and economic crisis."

If the Administration's lawsuit succeeds, it would destroy:

  • Health care coverage for 23 million Americans – about 3 million more than was forecast before the coronavirus pandemic;
  • Lifesaving protections for an estimated 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, a number that could also swell as coronavirus infections leave more Americans bearing a pre-existing condition for the rest of their lives;
  • The ban on lifetime and annual limits on health coverage;
  • The Medicaid expansion covering 15 million Americans;
  • Health insurance affordability tax credits that make health care affordable for 9 million Americans;
  • The significant savings on their prescription drugs that many seniors are receiving due to the ACA's closing of the ‘donut hole' in Medicare drug coverage;
  • Bans on discriminatory insurance practices that force women to pay more for coverage;
  • Young adults' ability to remain on their parents' insurance until age 26, and more.

"While the GOP works to eliminate health care for millions of Texans and Americans across the country, I will continue working with my Democratic colleagues to end Republican efforts to sabotage health care coverage in America," continued Congresswoman Garcia. "Democrats are committed to tackling the coronavirus health crisis as we work to strengthen and expand the promise of the ACA for all Americans."

The amendment was accepted into the appropriations minibus legislation funding the Department of Justice, which is expected to pass the House tomorrow.

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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She serves on the House Judiciary and Financial Services Committees.