Schumer says Trump tweet shows court pick meant to kill off ObamaCare

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) pointed to a tweet Sunday by President Trump as evidence Judge Amy Coney Barrett, his nominee to the Supreme Court, would strike down the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

“Obamacare will be replaced with a MUCH better, and FAR cheaper, alternative if it is terminated in the Supreme Court. Would be a big WIN for the USA!” Trump tweeted Sunday morning.

“President Trump just admitted his nominee will strike down the Affordable Care Act,” Schumer tweeted immediately in response.

President Trump just admitted his nominee will strike down the Affordable Care Act. https://t.co/kdKIkbEwy8

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) September 27, 2020

Senate Democrats are seeking to focus their arguments about the court and the election on the Affordable Care Act, former President Obama’s signature law.

The Supreme Court is set to consider a challenge to the law immediately after the election. 

Senate Democrats have highlighted Barrett’s judicial record to argue that, if confirmed, she will rule in favor of the Trump administration’s lawsuit seeking to eliminate the health care law.

On “Fox News Sunday,” Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) pointed to Barrett’s past criticism of high court rulings upholding the ACA’s provisions and said she would vote against the nomination based on that.

“It’s very clear from her writings, multiple writings, that she will be the vote that takes away health care for millions of Americans, including 130 million people and counting with preexisting conditions, and of course those are going up every day because of the health pandemic,” Stabenow said.

Republicans have said it would be a mistake to focus on Barrett’s past remarks to try to guess how she would decide on a specific case.

The remarks from Democrats on Sunday suggest health care will be a dominant part of the conversation as the Senate GOP seeks to confirm Barrett before Election Day.

The lawsuit against the ACA would undo the entirety of its provisions, including its protection of coverage for people with preexisting conditions.

Trump has signed an executive order declaring preexisting condition protections the “policy” of the United States but has repeatedly pledged a full legislative replacement for the ACA that has yet to materialize.