Police arrest dozens of 'Obamacare' supporters at Capitol Hill protest

Jan. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. Capitol police on Tuesday arrested dozens of demonstrators opposed to the repeal of the Affordable Care Act during a protest at the office of a top Senate committee leader.

The demonstrators gathered at the Hart Senate Office Building for a sit-in protest outside the office of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

The finance committee is responsible for overseeing any changes to former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law.

Police arrested 47 protesters, who are expected to be charged with crowding, obstructing or incommoding, a U.S. Capitol Police spokeswoman confirmed in an email to UPI.

The protest was led by Save My Care, which is organized by the Service Employees International Union.

Republican lawmakers are in the process of repealing the ACA, colloquially called Obamacare, which critics worry could lead to millions of Americans losing their medical insurance coverage. President Donald Trump has promised to replace the law with a better program.

Tuesday's demonstration was also aimed at opposing Trump's appointment to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Georgia Rep. Tom Price, whose nomination was also stalled by Senate Democrats on Tuesday.