John Lewis: "I will oppose this bill with every breath and every bone in my body"

Lewis told us not so long ago, “I will not give up. I will not give in. I will continue to stand up. Speak up. And speak out.”

He said he would “find a way to get in the way, to get in trouble. Good trouble. Necessary trouble.”

Just watch to know what he means:

I want to thank my friend for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this bill. As elected representatives, we have a mission, an obligation, and a mandate to fight for each and every American. I ask you, Mr. Speaker, who will stand for the American people? Who will speak up for those who have been left out and left behind?

Mr. Speaker, I have said it time and time again. Health care is a right. It is not a privilege reserved for a wealthy few. For what doesn’t profit this body to pass this bill and lose our soul. This bill is a shame. It is a disgrace.

Mr. Speaker, today my heart breaks for the disabled, for women, for seniors, and working families. My heartaches for those who are living paycheck to paycheck. My heart mourns for innocent little children. Whose very lives depend on if their family can pay the bills. This is the right and wrong of this. This is the heart and soul of the matter. We cannot abandon our principles.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot forget our values. I fought too hard and too long to back down now. I will fight any bill that turns the clock back to a darker time. I will fight every single attempt to turn a deaf ear, blind eye, and cold shoulder to the sick, to our seniors, and to working families.

Mr. Speaker, I will fight every day, every hour, every minute, and every second. I will oppose this bill with every breath and every bone in my body. We must not give up. We cannot. I will not give in. Not today, not tomorrow, and never, ever. On this bill there is only one option. And that option is to vote no. We can do better, Mr. Speaker. We must do better. Vote no on this bill.

John Lewis’ words fuel the resistance. And we will continue to fight every day, every minute, and every second alongside him.