Emotional Moment for Colorado Rep. Brittany Petterson

During a recent session, Colorado Democrat Rep. Brittany Petterson struggled to contain her emotions as Congress prepared to vote on a controversial budget bill.

Petterson expressed her distress, saying, “It’s tough to hold back tears with what this bill means for hospitals and healthcare nationwide.” She highlighted the bill’s potential negative impact on rural hospitals and families who depend on uncompensated care. “We’re back here. I’m not asleep on my red-eye flight. We’re forced to support this disastrous proposal,” she added, visibly upset.

The legislation proposes allocating $100 billion towards immigration and customs enforcement and altering Medicaid, while also removing taxes on tips and overtime. It narrowly passed the Senate with a 51-50 vote, and Pennsylvania’s Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick was the lone Republican opposing it during Thursday’s House procedural vote.

In an unexpected turn, Republican Rep. Thomas Massey shifted his vote to “yes” during the procedural session. Meanwhile, House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries spent five hours on the floor discussing the implications of Trump’s legislation, utilizing what are known as “magic minutes” to express his concerns.