Jeffries invokes John McCain in plea for Republicans to defect on Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ – Washington Examiner
In a recent appeal, House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) invoked the late Senator John McCain’s courageous decision to vote against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as he urged House Republicans to support the One Big Stunning Bill Act. Jeffries emphasized that it would take just four Republicans to join democrats to block the legislation, which he criticized for possibly stripping away Medicaid benefits and hurting vulnerable populations, such as children, veterans, and seniors. He condemned the bill as “unconscionable,” asserting that it prioritizes tax breaks for billionaires over the welfare of American citizens.Despite resistance from several GOP members, the bill’s future remains uncertain as it returns to the House after a Senate vote.Jeffries’ comments reflect broader concerns about the implications of the legislation for healthcare and the national deficit, with some Republicans expressing a desire for significant changes before they can support it.
Jeffries invokes John McCain in plea for Republicans to defect on Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) tried to appeal to House Republicans who were hesitant to vote for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by invoking the late Sen. John McCain’s vote against repealing the Affordable Care Act.
The Arizona Republican, who died in 2018, famously voted against his party in a shocking move that kept the ACA from being repealed.
“All we need are four Republicans to join us in support of their constituents, have John McCain-level courage and stand up in defense of the healthcare of the American people,” Jeffries said before blasting the bill for stripping Medicaid benefits.
“What type of party would bring a bill to the House floor that rips away Medicaid from those in need? What kind of party would bring a bill to the House floor that literally robs food from the mouths of children, veterans, and seniors? And all of this is being done to provide massive tax breaks to their billionaire donors. It’s unconscionable. It’s unacceptable. It’s un-American. And House Democrats are committing to you that we’re gonna do everything in our power to stop it. And all we need are four Republicans. Just four to show John McCain-level courage. Just four. There are 220 of them,” he added.
Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Warren Davidson (R-OH) have signaled that they remain “no” votes on the bill, which is coming back to the House after Vice President JD Vance broke a 50-50 tie in the Senate.
Several other House Republicans, like Reps. Ralph Norman (R-SC) and Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), have indicated they’ll vote “no” unless significant changes are made. If Norman and Stutzman join Massie and Davidson to vote “no,” the House would tie 216-216 on the bill, if all Democrats vote against it.
“The changes the Senate made to the House passed Beautiful Bill, including unacceptable increases to the national debt and the deficit, are going to make passage in the House difficult,” Stutzman said, expressing his willingness to work past the July 4 deadline to make it acceptable. “We cannot in good faith pass a bill through our chamber that hinges on cut corners and earmarks. The American people won’t stand for it.”
THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS WHO COULD DEFECT TO SINK TRUMP’S ‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL’
Democrats allege the bill, which would pass many items on Trump’s agenda, will strip Medicaid benefits away from citizens. Republicans have said the bill will kick illegal immigrants off the plan.
McCain voted against repealing the ACA in 2017 because there was no viable alternative, even though he opposed the plan. “While the amendment would have repealed some of Obamacare‘s most burdensome regulations, it offered no replacement to actually reform our healthcare system and deliver affordable, quality healthcare to our citizens,” he said then.
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