Tom Cotton Melts Down And Warns That Trumpcare Could Cost Republicans The House

A very worried sounding Sen. Tom Cotton warned that Republicans could lose the House if they voted for Trumpcare during an interview on ABC’s This Week.

Video:

ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos

Transcript via ABC’s This Week:

To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.

COTTON: George, the bill probably can be fixed, but it’s going to take a lot of carpentry on that framework. As it’s written today, this bill in the House of Representatives cannot pass the Senate. And I believe it would have adverse consequences for millions of Americans and it wouldn’t deliver on our promises to reduce the cost of health insurance for Americans.

So, I would say to my friends in the House of Representatives with whom I serve, do not walk the plank and vote for a bill that cannot pass the Senate and then have to face the consequences of that vote.

….

STEPHANOPOULOS: So you’re saying House Republicans if they vote for this bill are going to pay the price without getting any benefit?

COTTON: I’m afraid that if they vote for this bill, they’re going to put the House majority at risk next year. And we have majorities in the House and the Senate and the White House, not only to repeal Obamacare and get health care reform right, but to reform or taxes and our regulations and build up our military and to accomplish many other things.

And I don’t want to see the House majority put at risk on a bill that is not going to pass the Senate. That’s why I think we should fake pause, try to solve as many as the problems on both Medicaid and the individual insurance market in this bill in the House and then allow the Senate to take its work up.

Sen. Cotton’s fears are very well founded. Obamacare has been steadily gaining in popularity. The loss of health care for millions of Americans is going to be enough for many voters to punish Republicans, but Republicans will also own this issue once they pass their replacement.

When people get less bang for their buck, because the insurance companies will have to provide less coverage, but be allowed to raise premiums, voters are going to take it out on the Republicans who voted for the bill.

Anything that goes wrong on health care or any promise that is not fulfilled by Trumpcare will be another reason for voters to throw Republicans out of office. Republicans have been successful in recent years because they could be the opposition without being held accountable for anything.

All of that has changed, Republicans are responsible for every policy decision. By choosing to reach into the wallets of every America, while also jeopardizing their health insurance, Republicans are risking their political futures.

If Republicans were smart, they’d want no part of Paul Ryan and President Trump’s Trumpcare scheme.

Jason Easley

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