“This is a very sad day for those of us committed to the health of the American people. Today, the House passed a bill that endangers the well-being of at least 24 million Americans whose health insurance is now in jeopardy.

Our hope is that the U.S. Senate will stand firm and refuse to pass a bill that impacts senior citizens, children and families, the disabled, veterans and millions of others, including 800,000 New Jersey residents who gained health insurance under the Affordable Care Act and 1.8 million who are covered under Medicaid. We implore the Senate to uphold its fiscal duty by waiting for a nonpartisan score of the bill by the Congressional Budget Office. We thank New Jersey’s Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker for putting their constituents first and expressing their opposition to the American Health Care Act.

There is one bright spot, however, for the people of New Jersey. We can be very proud of the members of our congressional delegation who showed the courage to stand up against political pressure and vote “No” on the American Health Care Act. We applaud them: Donald Norcross (D-1), Frank LoBiondo (R-2), Chris Smith (R-4), Josh Gottheimer (D-5), Frank Pallone (D-6), Leonard Lance (R-7), Albio Sires (D-8), Bill Pascrell (D-9), Donald Payne (D-10) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12).”