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Image: U.S. Capitol Police remove a protester from the Russell office building on Capitol Hill

U.S. news

Tension Inside The Capitol as Senate Releases GOP Health Care Bill

Lawmakers, journalists and protesters filled the U.S. Capitol Thursday as Senate Republicans released a health care overhaul bill.

/ 15 PHOTOS
Image: McConnell arrives in his office in the U.S. Capitol

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell arrives in his office in the U.S. Capitol on June 22, 2017 in Washington. McConnell and fellow GOP senators met today to review a draft of proposed health care legislation that they released to the public Thursday afternoon. The bill represents the party's long-awaited attempt to scuttle much of the Affordable Care Act.

— Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Image: U.S. Capitol Police carry away a protester

U.S. Capitol Police carry away a protester outside McConnell's office. The protesters were organized by a group called ADAPT, which identifies itself as a nonprofit for people with disabilities.

— Michael Reynolds / EPA
Image: Schumer arrives to discuss GOP's Affordable Care Act repeal efforts

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer grabs a tissue before a news conference.

— Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Image: House Minority speaker Nancy Pelosi gestures during a press conference

House Minority speaker Nancy Pelosi gestures during a press conference. Pelosi and fellow House Democrats later joined a news conference by health care providers outside the Capitol.

— Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Republican Senator from Maine Susan Collins speaks to members of the media outside the Senate chamber on Capitol Hill

Republican Senator from Maine Susan Collins speaks to members of the media outside the Senate chamber. Collins said it was "too soon" to judge the bill and she has some concerns about cuts to Medicaid after 2025 and defunding of Planned Parenthood.

— Michael Reynolds / EPA
Image: Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives at the Capitol

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives for a briefing with McConnell.

— J. Scott Applewhite / AP
Image: U.S. Capitol Police remove a protester from the Russell office building on Capitol Hill

Capitol Police removed protesters, many of whom were disabled and use wheelchairs, from outside McConnell's office after text of the GOP Senate health care bill was released Thursday.

— David Butow / Redux Pictures
Image: Journalists stand outside a Senate Republican meeting on a health reform bill on Capitol Hill

Journalists stand outside a Senate Republican meeting on the health reform bill.

— Andrew Harnik / AP
Image: GOP Senators Hold Meeting To Discuss Draft Of Healthcare Bill

Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., leaves a closed meeting with Senate Republicans. The meeting was held so Senate GOP lawmakers could get the first look at the health care bill that will replace the Affordable Care Act.

— Mark Wilson / Getty Images
Image: A man is removed from a sit-in outside of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

Police made a total of 43 arrests at the demonstrations, the Capitol Police said. They were charged with crowding, obstructing, or incommoding, authorities said.

— Jacquelyn Martin / AP
Image: Speaker of the House Paul Ryan listens to questions during his weekly press conference

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan listens to questions during his weekly press conference before the release of the health care plan. Ryan answered a range of questions but declined to comment on the contents of the plan.

— Win McNamee / Getty Images
Image: Republican Senator from Texas Ted Cruz gets in an elevator after leaving the Senate chamber on Capitol Hill

Republican Senator from Texas Ted Cruz, center, gets in an elevator after leaving the Senate chamber. Four Republican senators, including Cruz, said they will not vote for the GOP health care bill unless changes are made, putting passage of the bill at risk just hours after it was unveiled.

— Michael Reynolds / EPA
Image: A protester against the Senate Republican's draft healthcare bill shouts outside the office McConnell's office

A protester shouts outside McConnell's office. 

— Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty Images
Image: Sen. Maggie Hassan, accompanied by Sen. Debbie Stabenow pauses while speaking during a news conference

Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., right, accompanied by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., left, pauses while speaking during a news conference on the effects of the proposed Republican healthcare legislation on families.

— Andrew Harnik / AP
Image: McConnell leaves the chamber after announcing the release of the Republicans' healthcare bill

McConnell leaves the chamber after announcing the release of the Republicans' health care bill, called the Better Care Reconciliation Act

— J. Scott Applewhite / AP
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