Bevin: McConnell ‘Caved’ To Reid On Defund Obamacare Measure

Matt Bevin of Louisville, Ky., speaks during the 133rd Annual Fancy Farm Picnic in Fancy Farm, Ky., Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013. Bevin, a Louisville businessman, will face off against Sen. Mitch McConnell in the primary e... Matt Bevin of Louisville, Ky., speaks during the 133rd Annual Fancy Farm Picnic in Fancy Farm, Ky., Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013. Bevin, a Louisville businessman, will face off against Sen. Mitch McConnell in the primary election for the Republican party ticket. (AP Photo/Stephen Lance Dennee) MORE LESS
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Kentucky Republican Senate Candidate Matt Bevin accused Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) of caving to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) after McConnell announced that he would not filibuster legislation that currently contains a defund-Obamacare provision. The Senate plans to strip the defunding aspect of the measure once it advances procedurally. 

“Like so many other crucial fights, Mitch McConnell has caved to Harry Reid on Obamacare and is refusing to fight to defund this disastrous legislation,” Bevin said a statement Tuesday morning.

The statement by Bevin, who is running against McConnell in the Republican primary, comes a day after McConnell’s announcement. McConnell’s decision effectively gives Reid and Senate Democrats an opening to pass a continuing resolution that does not defund the health care law. 

Bevin said McConnell’s decision shows there’s no significant legislative light between McConnell and Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes (D), who is also running for McConnell’s Senate seat.

“There is really no difference between Mitch McConnell and Alison Grimes – both would vote on the side of Harry Reid,” Bevin continued in his statement. “I am proud to support conservatives like Sen. Ted Cruz in his fight to defund Obamacare, and I promise the people of Kentucky: I will never cave to Harry Reid.”

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