Mike Lee doesn’t mince words about how he feels about the new Obamacare replacement bill:
“This is not the Obamacare repeal bill we’ve been waiting for. It is a missed opportunity and a step in the wrong direction,” Sen. Lee said.
“We promised the American people we would drain the swamp and end business as usual in Washington. This bill does not do that. We don’t know how many people would use this new tax credit, we don’t know how much it will cost, and we don’t know if this bill will make health care more affordable for Americans.”
“This is exactly the type of back-room dealing and rushed process that we criticized Democrats for and it is not what we promised the American people.”
“Let’s fulfill our Obamacare repeal promise immediately and then take our time and do reform right. Let’s pass the 2015 repeal bill that Republicans in both houses of Congress voted for and sent to the White House just 15 months ago. Once Obamacare has been properly sent to the dustbin of history then we can begin a deliberative, open, and honest process to reform our nation’s health care system.”
Ted Cruz hasn’t released a statement like this yet, but did express concerns about the bill in questions with reporters:
Q: Would you vote for the House GOP health bill? Cruz: "As the President said, this draft is up to negotiation"
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) March 7, 2017
Cruz on GOP health bill: "I have significant concerns about the current draft" but says he is open to negotiation
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) March 7, 2017
I think many conservatives in both the House and the Senate are glad the bill is open to negotiation. Let’s just hope that they can agree on something and do it right!
As Ryan suggested earlier this year, they’ve never had a chance like this before to govern and they better not disappoint.