It was 17 yesterday morning, 25 by the close of the day, and now 27 Republicans are opposing (or leaning strongly against) the GOP healthcare plan.
It appears President Trump's "threats" yesterday - which Paul Ryan dismissed using the "he was just kidding" excuse - appears to have failed.
http://players.brightcove.net/1077863425/ryWOznDex_default/index.html
The 27 House Republicans who are against or leaning against the House GOP bill
- Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH)
- Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC)
- Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI)
- Rep. Dave Brat (R-VA)
- Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID)
- Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL)
- Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA)
- Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY)
- Rep. Tom Garrett (R-VA)
- Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtin (R-FL)
- Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ)
- Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV)
- Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-OK)
- Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX)
- Rep. Mark Sanford (R-SC)
- Rep. John Katko (R-NY)
- Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
- Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC)
- Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC)
- Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR)
- Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA)
- Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL)
- Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN)
- Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH)
- Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ)
- Rep. Rod Blum (R-IA)
- Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD)
The Hill reports, as the "RyanCare" battle rages in House of Representatives, many are questioning why so many conservatives find the Speaker's approach noxious.
Fortunately, the Texas Public Policy Forum has listed 10 reasons why the Speaker's healthcare bill falls short — not just when it comes to repealing ObamaCare, but its failure to refocus our nation's healthcare system toward patient care and away from worrying about insurance coverage.
The first two reasons are quoted below:
1. Doesn't Improve Care. Obama[C]are expanded the federal bureaucracy at the expense of quality care. Tax dollars were taken from providers and used to pay administrators, consultants, lobbyists, insurers, and regulators. The House bill does nothing to change that dynamic.
2. Raises Insurance Premiums. The Congressional Budget Office believes that the bill will raise insurance premiums by 15-20 percent on average in the next two years, with even higher spikes in some areas. Americans care most about lowering health costs and making coverage affordable — yet the bill falls short on that count, retaining all but one of Obama[C]are's costly mandated benefits and insurance regulations.
On Washington's political scoresheet, though, the real story is the willingness of Meadows, the Freedom Caucus chairman, to stand up and oppose what can only be described as a bad, bad bill.
But, as NBC News reports, there's still a chance that the bill can still pass because - It's the GOP's last best chance to repeal/replace Obamacare
And the threat of losing that chance - not the threat of losing a congressional seat - could still be a powerful motivating force for opponents and fence-sitters.
And for Trump himself, losing health care this week - especially after FBI Director James Comey's declarations on Monday - could be politically catastrophic for him at this stage of his presidency.
So never underestimate the chances of people who have A LOT to lose if they don't win.
And that is likely what President Trump will remind the holdouts today as he heads to Capitol Hill - due to meet The Freedom Cacus at 1130 reportedly.