The Big, Beautiful Republican Shrug

theatlantic.comPublished: 5/24/2025

Summary

The Republican Party’s rush to advance President Trump’s health-insurance bill this week mirrors their 2017 tactics during the Affordable Care Act’s passage—stealthy moves designed to sidestep proper processes. They scheduled a key hearing at midnight and slept in, falsely claiming Democrats used such tactics, a pattern of procedural missteps that reflects disregard for rules. While some GOP leaders faced backlash for rushing through the bill without adequate review, their votes ultimately aligned with calls for speed, despite critics accusing them of hypocrisy. This highlights the tension between expediency and thorough debate as Republicans push for swift action amid public concerns.