A New Jersey Republican congressman has asked his constituents to stop calling his office to advocate against the GOP’s Obamacare replacement bill – because he’s already committed to voting against it.
“My vote is a NO so please stopping calling hourly,” Rep. Frank LoBiondo wrote on Twitter. “Won’t be arm-twisted to yes.”
My vote is a NO so please stopping calling hourly. Won’t be arm-twisted to yes. Caseworkers need phones free to help #SouthJersey residents
— Frank LoBiondo (@RepLoBiondo) March 24, 2017
Appreciate calls of support #SouthJersey residents. Staff happy to take message, but also needs to help those w/ casework issues. Thx Frank
— Frank LoBiondo (@RepLoBiondo) March 24, 2017
LoBiondo said in a statement on Wednesday that he would vote against the White House’s and House Republican leadership’s preferred bill to repeal and replace Obamacare.
“Simply put, this bill does not meet the standards of what was promised,” he said. “[I]t is not as good as or better than what we currently have. Accordingly, I will vote no on this healthcare plan.”
On Friday, in a post on his Facebook page, LoBiondo said the changes made to the bill Thursday – seen as an effort to wrangle votes from the conservative wing of the party – “STRENGTHEN MY NO VOTE.”
“Vote is scheduled for around 5pm today,” he continued. “While I appreciate the calls of support, no need to call my office hourly to check if my vote has changed. It hasn’t. It won’t. I will not be arm-twisted to a yes. But my staff need to have phones free to help South Jersey residents with casework issues. Thanks, Frank.”
H/t Roll Call.
