Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior member of the House Committees on the Judiciary, Homeland Security and Budget, released this following the release of a report by the Census Bureau indicating enrollment in the Affordable Care Act has declined:

“I lament today’s finding in an annual report from the Census Bureau which found that the number of people without health insurance has increased for the first time since 2008. The details of the report are also concerning. The report outlines that there has been reversal of improvements made by the ACA and that there are two million fewer people living without health insurance.

“These results should not be surprising to any people paying attention to the relentless assault by this president and the Republican party, against the landmark law championed by President Barack Obama. For almost three years, the current occupant of the White House has been devoted to undermining the Affordable Care Act. When they controlled the House of Representatives, House Republicans held over five-dozen votes to repeal the ACA Act, which they derisively call “Obamacare.” When he campaigned for the office, up until the House held its only successful vote to repeal the ACA, the President urged repeal of the landmark law 68 times.

“The numbers outlined in today’s Census Report are not a win for any political party, and Republicans celebrate these statistics at their own peril. In countless opinion polls, Americans list access to affordable, quality healthcare as the number one issue for Americans. In the almost three years of his term, the current occupant of the White House has put forth no plan or roadmap which would meaningfully address this kitchen table issue for millions of Americans. I demand that the President halt his systemic attack on the Affordable Care Act—made apparently for no other reason than envy (at best) or racism (at worst) and that he work with willing partners in the Congress, to fortify our nation’s healthcare apparatus.”