Republican Sen. Cory Gardner traps health care protesters in hot office on 90-degree day

Temperatures in Colorado Springs, where Gardner’s office is located, hit a high of 90 degrees, but protester “Jessica Lawyer” said the senator’s staff “won’t let us leave the door open to let fresh air.”

Noting that “they’re trying to heat us out of here,” Lawyer posted photos and video of the protesters, wearing costumes patterned after “The Handmaid’s Tale,” persisting despite the oppressive conditions in the office.

https://twitter.com/jessicalawyer2/status/879770638227050499

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On the video, the protesters can be seen using their signs as fans to cool off in the hot office, as Gardner’s receptionist looks on. One woman is discussing the provisions in the Senate bill that would “defund” Planned Parenthood and leave millions of patients high and dry.

Live from @SenCoryGardner office in #COS #NoAHCA #HandmaidsTale @MaddowBlog @maddow @COSpringsCAN @IndivisibleTeam pic.twitter.com/0YRlJW3xf7

— Jessica Lawyer (@jessicalawyer2) June 27, 2017

Republican members of Congress have been trying to avoid voters as backlash to their health care proposals has risen. They do not want to face the public who would be crushed by the massive cuts to Medicaid that would strip insurance coverage from millions if the bill is allowed to pass.

Gardner was part of the secretive all-male team of Republicans who put the bill together. Colorado voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016.