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181 protesters arrested after disrupting Graham-Cassidy bill hearing - ABC News

posted onSeptember 26, 2017
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Article snippet: Protesters in wheelchairs were removed from a hearing on the Republican Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, to adjourn the session until the protesters could be cleared out. "If you want a hearing -- if you want a hearing, you better shut up," Hatch said. Capitol Police officers struggled to remove people, with some sliding out of their wheelchairs and onto the floor. Eva Malecki, a spokesperson for Capitol Police, said in a statement 181 protesters were arrested Monday afternoon. "Fifteen demonstrators were arrested and charged with disruption of Congress," Malecki said, adding, "143 individuals were arrested after refusing to cease and desist with their unlawful demonstration activities in the hallway. Twenty-three individuals were charged with crowding, obstructing, or incommoding and resisting arrest." People from all over the country and all of walks of life lined up as early as 5 a.m. ET, to urge lawmakers to oppose the latest Republican health care bill, known as the Graham-Cassidy bill. The chambers of Finance Committee is set to consider health care legislation proposed by Sens. Dean Heller, R-Nev., and Ron Johnson, R-Wis. This is the one and only open hearing scheduled on the Graham-Cassidy bill, an unusual process that opponents of the bill, like Sen. John McCain, have objected to. An army veteran who came all the way from Atlanta called the hearing a “fake" and a "facade," accusing lawmakers of not listening to real Americans. Through t... Link to the full article to read more

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