Republicans don't really like the health care bill they're about to pass
But many lawmakers see the legislation as the best chance to get momentum to repeal Obamacare.
By JOSH DAWSEY 05/04/17 11:50 AM EDT Updated 05/04/17 12:13 PM EDT
Republicans are excited about repealing Obamacare. They are not as excited about their legislation that will do it.
The House is expected to pass the American Health Care Act on Thursday afternoon by a razor-thin margin after Speaker Paul Ryan and his deputies engaged in an aggressive whipping operation, with President Donald Trump working the phones to move fellow Republicans into the “yes” category. But Republicans say this particular bill is set to pass because it’s a now-or-never situation — especially after the embarrassing collapse of the first effort in March — and they’re finding solace in the idea that the legislation won't be the final product anyway.
Rep. Luke Messer, an Indiana Republican, called it a "green flag" and a "start."
Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) also pushed the idea that Republicans just need to pull the trigger on this bill because it will change. “This thing is going to go to the United States Senate. It’s going to change in my view,” he said on NPR. “At some point you just have to move, and we think this is it. This will create some momentum.”
"We like the fact that it needs to be repealed," said Scott Reed, chief strategist at the Chamber of Commerce, when asked whether they support the legislation. "... We need to move the process forward."
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http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/04/obamacare-repeal-bill-republicans-do-not-like-237982?lo=ap_a1
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