March 22, 2017
Activists are planning rallies at the New Jersey offices of five Republican congressmen on Wednesday night to urge a no vote on the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
A vote is set for Thursday on Capitol Hill.
Three of the U.S. House members represent districts in the Philadelphia suburbs: Frank LoBiondo, Tom MacArthur and Chris Smith. The offices of two other Republican congressmen, Rodney Frelinghuysen and Leonard Lance, are also targeted.
The rallies are coordinated by New Jersey Citizen Action, a statewide grassroots organization that fights for economic and social justice.
“A plan that takes health care away from millions, shifts more costs onto consumers, and jeopardizes health care services for seniors, children and the working poor will make health care in our country and our state worse," said Maura Collinsgru, health care program director for the organization.
"A vote in support of this GOP plan is a vote against the very people these congressmen represent,” she added.
Tweaks have been made to the Republican plan to assure Republican support. No Democrats have said they will vote for repeal. President Donald Trump has warned wavering House Republicans they risk getting voted out of office unless they support repeal of the ACA, also known as Obamacare.
Among the N.J. Republican House delegation, MacArthur is so far is the lone sure vote for repeal.
Others have either stated reservations or not voiced their intentions.
The vigil for Lobiondo is set for his Mays Landing office.
The MacArthur rally is set for Marlton and Toms River.
The Smith vigils are at his Freehold office and also his Hamilton, Mercer County, location.
The Frelinghuysen vigil is at his Morristown office.
Vigils at Lance's offices are set for Westfield and Flemington.
