Senate Republicans will add a measure that repeals the individual mandate and cost millions their health insurance to the already unpopular bill cutting taxes for the rich.
One week ago, Republicans lost by 54 points on healthcare in Virginia, so their big answer is to double down:
GOP senators were told inside lunch that Finance Rs unanimously agreed to include mandate repeal in the latest version of the bill, I’m told.
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) November 14, 2017
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According to the CBO, 13 million people will lose their health insurance if the individual mandate is repealed.
The tax cut bill itself will automatically cut Medicare by $25 billion a year:
BREAKING: CBO: Tax bill will automatically cut Medicare by $25 billion per year almost immediately. pic.twitter.com/8NKZd5tPt0
— Topher Spiro (@TopherSpiro) November 14, 2017
The absurdity has reached the point where it is almost like Republicans know they are losing Congress next year, so they are going to bundle all of their bad ideas into one bill before they are kicked out of office. Only the most oblivious of political parties could respond to getting their asses kicked on healthcare by 54 points with a plan to take healthcare away from 13 million Americans.
It is almost like Republicans have given up and are trying to lose the 2018 election. The addition of the individual mandate repeal to tax cuts for the wealthy is a giant middle finger to the American people. The bad news for Congressional Republicans is that voters will get the final word next November.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
