House Dems Warn GOP: Repeal Vote Will Be ‘Tattooed To Their Foreheads’

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, with Assistant Minority Leader Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., right, arrives at the House Rules Committee to speak in support of AARP and other consumer health groups ... House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, with Assistant Minority Leader Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., right, arrives at the House Rules Committee to speak in support of AARP and other consumer health groups as the GOP majority is shaping the final version of the Republican health care bill before it goes to the floor for debate and a vote, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 22, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) MORE LESS
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House Democrats warned their Republican colleagues against voting for the American Health Care Act on Friday, pointing to the speed with which it was pushed through the chamber and its unpopularity in a recent poll.

“What is happening today is a lose-lose situation for the Republicans,” Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said of the legislation during a press conference with party leadership.

“It’s a lose for the American people, that’s for sure,” she continued. “But the people who vote for this will have this vote tattooed to their foreheads as they go forward.”

House Democratic Caucus Chair Joe Crowley (D-NY) added: “The adage, ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’? They may feel damned if they don’t. We believe they’ll be even more damned if they do.”

The Democrats referred to a Quinnipiac poll released Thursday that found those opposed to the AHCA outweighed those in favor of it three-to-one.

They also criticized Republicans for rushing the measure through the House, and took aim at a last-minute amendment to, among other things, eliminate the Obamacare requirement that insurers cover Essential Health Benefits, like prescription coverage and maternity care.

“This bill has become worse every hour that it has been considered, which is a very very short period of time,” Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said.

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Notable Replies

  1. It is a lose for the Democrats, too, because they don’t know how to turn anything into a win.

    Where is the positive message that we offer a better solution?

    Pelosi and Hoyer got to go.

  2. Bannon’s people love face/neck tattoos, so this might work out with the base.

  3. Avatar for sanni sanni says:

    That 3:1 means for the GOP mathematically challenged Statistically for every 4 voters - three are against this bill, and one is for it. Pelosi is correct - this will be a millstone around the political neck of those who vote for it. Even in GOP districts the numbers against vs for are perilous for the GOP.

  4. If you’re, say, Barbara Comstock you’re probably pissing yourself right about now.

    @georgeh Basta! You’re a world-class kvetcher.

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