June 22, 2017

Police Remove Disabled Protesters Outside Mitch McConnell’s Office

Some of the demonstrators were seen in wheelchairs.

AP

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Chaos erupted outside the office of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) Thursday, shortly after Republican leaders unveiled their closely guarded plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. 

Capitol police were seen physically removing demonstrators, many of whom were in wheelchairs and holding medical equipment, as they chanted their disapproval of the draft legislation.

“No cuts to Medicaid,” they said, while blocking hallway access from McConnell’s office.

The protest was reportedly organized by the group ADAPT, an advocacy organization for people with disabilities. Images and video recordings of the scene quickly circulated on social media: 

https://twitter.com/Seth_Lemon/status/877908300549017602

While the dramatic scene unfolded, Democratic senators led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) blasted the bill as “heartless” and a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” 

The public release of the controversial plan followed weeks of secret negotiations in the legislation’s drafting process, prompting criticism from both Democrats and Republicans for the lack of transparency by Senate leadership. The Senate’s version of the bill, which calls for deep cuts to Medicaid spending and the defunding of Planned Parenthood, is said to largely mirror the bill passed in the House. The Congressional Budget Office estimated the House version would lead to 23 million more uninsured people.

The Senate’s measure could be called to a vote as soon as early as next week.

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