Senators Bernie Sanders, Ted Cruz to Debate Health Care at GW

The two senators will be at GW Tuesday as part of a 90-minute, prime time event hosted by CNN.

February 2, 2017

CNN town hall

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz will debate the future of the Affordable Care Act at George Washington University Tuesday.

The televised town hall will be at 9 p.m. in Jack Morton Auditorium. CNN is hosting the debate, which will be moderated by anchor Jake Tapper and chief political correspondent and GW alumna Dana Bash, B.A. ‘93.

Republican President Donald Trump has made repealing and replacing the ACA a top priority of his administration. He said he wants to repeal the health care law, coined Obamacare, and replace it with a new plan simultaneously. Senate and House Democrats are opposed to the repeal.

Mr. Sanders, I-Vt., is against repealing the ACA. He will debate Mr. Cruz, R-Texas, a supporter of the president’s agenda. They will debate the fate of former President Barack Obama’s signature legislation and the Republican Party’s approach to health care. They will also take questions from voters around the country.

Both men ran primary campaigns in the 2016 presidential election cycle. 

Students, faculty and staff were invited to register for the 90-minute event. Tickets are limited and not everyone can be accommodated.

The debate will air on CNN, CNN en Español, CNN International, CNNgo, Westwood One Radio Network and on CNN Channel 116 on Sirius XM. Complete coverage will also be posted on GW Today.