In the immediate aftermath of Republicans' decision to pull their healthcare legislation from a scheduled floor vote in the House of Representatives on Friday afternoon, congressional Democrats immediately, and falsely, claimed credit for the bill's failure.
Within minutes of each other, many Democratic members posted tweets to thank people for pushing back against the bill, inaccurately implying that Republicans pulled the legislation because ideological opponents called to oppose it.
Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., wrote, "Your calls, emails, & letters worked. Speaking out at town halls worked. The GOP pulled their bad bill b/c you spoke out. We can't stop now!"
"Your energy and passion made all the difference — together we were able to #KillTheBill & defeat #TrumpCare. Stay loud," said Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., remarked, "This is because of people like you raising your voices, making yourselves heard, and rising up to own our democracy."
Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., echoed Gillibrand's sentiments, tweeting, "Thank you to the thousands of people who called, emailed & made in-person visits to Congress. What a difference your voices made."
Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., explicitly declared, "While this fight is far from over, today affirms that your voice matters."
Many additional Democrats made the same claims on social media and in press statements.
But in a press conference convened to explain the decision on Friday afternoon, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., explained clearly that "not enough" members of the Freedom Caucus indicated they would vote for the bill, saying their lack of support was "sufficient cause" to pull it.
Despite the false narrative Democrats are busy pushing, Republicans pulled the bill because it lacked support from members of their own party who were concerned the bill was not conservative enough, and who worried their right-leaning constituents would hold them accountable for that.
Obviously these are not the same constituents Democrats are now gleefully crediting with victory.
