EMILYs List on Rep. Peter Roskam’s Vote to Pass the AHCA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Rep. Peter Roskam (IL-06) voted to pass the American Health Care Act. Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILYs List, released the following statement:

“Rep. Roskam showed his true colors today. Let’s be clear on what he voted for: an extraordinarily dangerous piece of legislation that will hurt the American people he claims to represent. By partnering with Donald Trump and Paul Ryan to force this bill through the House – ignoring millions of voters who have stood up and fought back against this bill – Rep. Roskam has made it clear he cares more about giving insurance company executives kickbacks than providing health care to his constituents. Voters are justifiably fed up with the lack of leadership and backbone from Republicans in the White House and on Capitol Hill – including Rep. Roskam. 322,200 people in his district could lose their health insurance because of this vote.”

“The bottom line is that this bill singles out Planned Parenthood, threatening the critical care of millions; institutes an age tax; and lets states eliminate maternity care and bar coverage from people with pre-existing conditions – including survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.”

“Rep. Roskam should get ready for town halls next week while he is on recess. The American people have made it clear that they do not support this bill – and soon, Republicans will find out that Americans do not support them either. EMILY's List is aggressively recruiting strong, pro-choice Democratic women to take their place in districts across the country – and Rep. Roskam and his fellow Republican members of Congress are right to be worried. This cruel vote was a mistake they'll learn in 2018.”

EMILYs List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, has raised over $500 million to support pro-choice Democratic women candidates – making them one of the most successful political organizations ever. Our grassroots community of over five million members helps Democratic women wage competitive campaigns – and win. We recruit and train candidates, support strong campaigns, research the issues that impact women and families, and turn out women voters. Since our founding in 1985, we have trained nearly 10,000 women to run and helped elect 116 women to the House, 23 to the Senate, 12 governors, and over 800 to state and local office. Forty percent of the candidates EMILYs List has helped elect to Congress have been women of color – including every single Latina, African American, and Asian American Democratic congresswoman currently serving.