Jimmy Kimmel on Graham-Cassidy: 'I haven't been this happy about something being dead since bin Laden'

(Image credit: Screenshot/YouTube/Jimmy Kimmel Live)

last updated 27 September 2017

On Tuesday afternoon, Senate Republicans made it official: The Graham-Cassidy health-care bill won't get a vote. "I haven't been this happy about something being dead since bin Laden," Jimmy Kimmel said on Tuesday night's Kimmel Live. "On behalf of my family, especially my son Billy, I want to sincerely thank those of you who called your representatives, made your voices heard, and got involved to help smother this cruel piece of legislation. I bet the walls of the Oval Office are filled with dozens of tiny little fist holes today."

Kimmel, who somehow became a leading opponent of the bill, spent some time thanking Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and especially Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for sinking the bill, and criticizing President Trump for pushing Graham-Cassidy and criticizing McCain over his opposition. "The idea that Donald Trump would criticize anyone for changing his position is very rich — it's definitely richer than he is," he said. "Donald Trump has more flip-flops than a Jimmy Buffett concert." He had video proof.

Graham-Cassidy is dead, but some Republicans are already talking about taking up ObamaCare repeal-and-replace again next year, despite their failure to come up with a viable, even moderately popular alternative in seven years. "That's nuts," Kimmel said. "Look, I'm not a congressman, I don't want to tell you how to do your jobs, but here's how to do your jobs": hold hearings, talk to experts, work in a bipartisan manner to fix the current system's problems and make American health care great. "I know it sounds crazy, but sometimes you have to think inside the box," he said. "This isn't about sides, it's about people who are sick." He ended by asking people to help Puerto Rico. Watch below. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.