Politics

GOP Leadership Defends Three-Prong Plan To Replace Obamacare

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House leadership has dismissed accusations their three-pronged approach is an unfeasible plan to repeal and replace Obamacare.

Proponents of the legislation that conservatives hate have laid out a three prong plan that involves using executive orders and additional bills with replacement language. Conservatives in the House Freedom Caucus and Republican Study Committee have expressed concerns the three-step approach is “aspirational,” since it will be difficult to get the 60 votes needed to get the prong-three bills through the Senate.

But leadership remains confident in their plan, with Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy announcing four phase-three bills up for consideration next week.

“Though reconciliation is a powerful legislative tool, we have always acknowledged that we must move separate legislation to fully repeal and replace Obamacare with a patient-centered, free-market system,” McCarthy said in a statement, adding these are just the beginning. “In the weeks to come, we will consider several bills to increase patient choice and market competition and prevent abusive medical lawsuits.”

According to a source who attended the GOP conference meeting Wednesday, a Republican senator questioned whether the president is ready to fight to help get the legislation passed, to which Pence responded:  “Really, is that a question?! He’s spoiling for a fight.”

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