As Senate Republicans push full steam ahead on their final attempt to repeal Obamacare, several key governors came out on Tuesday against the bill crafted by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).
Independent Alaska Gov. Bill Walker and Republican Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval were among ten governors to sign a letter opposing the bill. Walker’s opposition could influence Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R-AK) vote, while Sandoval’s complaints about the bill buck Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV), who co-sponsored the bill.
In the letter, the governors called on senators to abandon the Graham-Cassidy bill and pursue bipartisan legislation to stabilize the health insurance market instead. They also urged lawmakers to use regular order to craft legislation, rather than follow the rushed process GOP leaders are using in their last-ditch attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
“Only open, bipartisan approaches can achieve true, lasting reforms,” the governors wrote.
Several other Republican governors signed the letter as well, including Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Massachusetts Gov. Charles Baker, and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott.
Walker, the Alaska governor, expressed concern Tuesday morning about how the Graham-Cassidy bill would impact Medicaid, but the letter later confirmed his opposition to the bill. Murkowski, who has opposed other recent attempts to repeal Obamacare in the Senate, is again a key lawmaker to watch as Republicans search for the votes needed to pass the Graham-Cassidy bill. As of Tuesday morning, she was still assessing the bill.
Walker’s opposition to the bill came after the White House called the Alaska governor as part of an effort to garner more support for the Graham-Cassidy bill, according to a vice presidential pool report citing comments from Mike Pence and Graham.
Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan issued a statement later on Tuesday declaring his opposition to the Graham-Cassidy repeal bill and instead calling for a bipartisan fix in the Senate.
“Unfortunately, the Graham-Cassidy bill is not a solution that works for Maryland. It will cost our state over $2 billion annually while directly jeopardizing the health care of our citizens. We need common sense, bipartisan solutions that will stabilize markets and actually expand affordable coverage,” he said in a statement.
Read the letter below:
This post has been updated.
Thank you, Governors - signators. The senate GOP is about to lose its collective mind, again, led by men trying to please a president - non of which is about the health and well being of their constituents. Much of the nation thanks you - and are joining in making our voices heard. Unfortunately Donald’s hissy/twitter fits has turned some senators spine into moldy applesauce.
Called both Murkowski and Sullivan’s offices in DC again this morning and left messages on what I suspect are their overfull answering machines. Please please call your senators today as well no matter if they are ® or (D). This bill has got to be killed.
Although it’s beating a dead horse, but wouldn’t it be nice if the Senators put a scintilla of the energy and effort they’re putting into taking away healthcare from millions into, say, trying to determine if a foreign power interfered with our election? Or if the president is illegally making millions off his properties? Oops, I forgot it’s okay when you’re a Republican.
Future Senate reaction: Yeah, well, what do a bunch of governors know about health care for their states? They should stay quiet and worry about spending the money we’re placing in their hands.
That letter is great. What would be greater? Actually taking action by getting their Senators to kill the bill