Interfaith Rally and Vigil for Health Justice

Speaker Hakim Jeffries and an impressive line-up of other House Democrats joined together with faith groups on Friday in an Interfaith Rally and Vigil on Health Justice.  A provision of President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” that the Circle of Protection opposed is now starting to go into effect. As of January 1, it will take health insurance away from 4 million people and dramatically increase insurance premiums for another 22 million. These are disproportionately  low-income people. 

President Trump and congressional Republicans have been able to make huge changes this year, always acting on their own. But Senate rules require some Democratic votes on decisions about appropriations for the new fiscal year. Congressional Democrats are unwilling to approve Republican legislation on appropriations without putting a stop to the health-care crisis that is now unfolding. The President and congressional Republicans have so far refused to negotiate.  

I was struck by the passion and determination of the Democratic members of Congress who came to the interfaith event on Friday. This photo includes some of the members of Congress and faith leaders at the event:  Shafiq Ahmed, American Muslim Health Professionals; Rev. David Beckmann, Circle of Protection; Rep. Steven Horsford (NV); Rev. Lesley-Copeland Tune, National Council of Churches; Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT); Rev. Camille Henderson-Edwards, United Methodist Church; Rep. Kathleen Clark, House Minority Whip; Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emeritus.