Archive for the ‘Republican’ Category

Liberal journalist blows up over GOP health care plan, calls for Republican family members to die – TheBlaze.com

A liberal journalist went on a Twitter tirade late Friday over the Republican plan to replace Obamacare, calling for family members of Republicans who voted for the bill in the House to die.

Kurt Eichenwald, a senior writer for Newsweek, decried the American Health Care Act in a Twitter rant on Friday. He said he hopes that every Republican congressman who voted for Trumpcare has a family member get a long term condition, then lose their health insurance and die. Image source: screenshot

Eichenwald added that he wants Republicans who voted for the bill to feel its alleged effects in their own families:

When challenged why he was wishing ill upon the families of Republicans, Eichenwald doubled down. He told a Twitter user that he wants GOP congressman to be tortured because they only gain empathy when something bad happens to them.

Because I want them to be tortured. GOPrs only gain empathy when they are touched by the consequences, never before, Eichenwald wrote.

Eichenwald added in reply to another user: I wish it on the ppl who chose it for me. Why should they not feel the consequences of their inhumanity?

Eichenwald later explained that part of his rage stemmed from Republican congressmen allegedly celebrating the passage of the Obamacare repeal bill.

They want to drink beer celebrating killing people? Then it should be their loved ones who die, he tweeted.

However, the allegations that GOP congressman celebrated the bills passing with beer isnt true at all, despite claims by politicians, media members and celebrities.

Still, in a long, 482-word statement to the Daily Caller, Eichenwald expressed his outrage with Republicans, who he said need to feel the effects of the AHCA.

He said:

The only way people incapable of empathy will understand reality is when they face it. So yes, to save millions, I think the people who inflicted these consequences on strangers should see the consequences up close and personal.

The goprs in congress didnt just send out a tweet wishing for me to face my own death. They actually voted to do it. If people dont give a damn about the consequences of what they do, they should face those consequences. They shouldnt all be inflicted on strangers.

I want them to feel what millions of us are feeling tonight fear, desperation, a knowledge that any moment could start the countdown to our deaths.

To be noted, Eichenwald later deleted his original tweet calling for Republican family members to die. He rewrote his tweet with the same message using softer language.

Millions like me tonight dont know if GOP health bill will pass & kill them. I hope those who vote for it someday face same anguish we do, he wrote.

The health care bill passed by the House on Thursday is not yet law. The Senate hasnt yet heard the bill, and they are expected to pass their own version of the bill, complicating the law making process.

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Liberal journalist blows up over GOP health care plan, calls for Republican family members to die - TheBlaze.com

This TV ad should scare every Republican who voted for the House health care bill – CNN

"Republicans are trying to do this to affordable health care," Perriello says to the camera as, behind him, a car compacter begins to do its work on an ambulance.

Perriello goes on to note that he voted for the Affordable Care Act during his time in Congress and pledges to ensure that "this" -- the ambulance being steadily flattened by the compacter -- "never happens in Virginia"

It's a very good ad. Part of that is because Perriello is a good communicator. (There's a reason he held, albeit briefly, a Republican-leaning district in the Old Dominion.) But, the bigger part of the ad's effectiveness is in the image -- an ambulance getting crushed -- married with the notion that Republicans, left to their druthers, are in the process of doing just that to Virginians' health care.

Now, it's important to note that Perriello is running this ad in the context of a Democratic primary, not a general election. (He faces off with sitting Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam on June 13.)

Why? Because it encapsulates the problem that Republicans have, politically speaking, in this bill: As it currently reads, the legislation takes away things that are either a) popular b) relied upon or c) both.

From scrapping the mandate banning insurance companies from discriminating against those with pre-existing conditions to the proposed freeze of Medicaid expansion funds in 2020, the bill's impact will primarily be on the negative side in the near term for many people.

When people have something -- even if they don't love it -- they don't want it taken away. The fear of losing something you need is a very powerful motivator.

It remains to be seen whether the ad catapults Perriello to the Democratic nomination. (He started the race late and behind Northam.) If he does win -- and moves on to the general election -- I'd expect to see more of this sort of ad from his side. And if Perriello winds up winning the governorship on the back of an anti-AHCA/anti-Trump message, you can bet every Democratic campaign in the country will produce some version of the ad above.

Democrats and Republicans are watching this race very closely. This ad should add -- ahem! -- to that focus.

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This TV ad should scare every Republican who voted for the House health care bill - CNN

Every Republican who voted for this abomination must be held accountable – Washington Post (blog)

When the American Health Care Act passed the House of Representatives on May 4, Democrats waved and sang, "nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey, goodbye," to their GOP colleagues. (U.S. House of Representatives)

Here at the Plum Line, we write a lot about the mechanics of politics the processes of governing, the interplay of political forces, the back-and-forth between citizens and lawmakers, and so on. We do that because its interesting and because it winds up affecting all our lives. But there are moments when you have to set aside the mechanics and focus intently on the substance of what government does or in this case, what government is trying to do.

I wont mince words. The health-care bill that the House of Representatives passed this afternoon, in an incredibly narrow 217-to-213 vote, is not just wrong, or misguided, or problematic or foolish. It is an abomination. If there has been a piece of legislation in our lifetimes that boiled over with as much malice and indifference to human suffering, I cant recall what it might have been. And every member of the House who voted for it must be held accountable.

[Betrayal, carelessness, hypocrisy: The GOP health-care bill has it all]

Theres certainly a process critique one can make about this bill. We might focus on the fact that Republicans are rushing to pass it without having held a single hearing on it, without a score from the Congressional Budget Office that would tell us exactly what the effects would be, and before nearly anyone has had a chance to even look at the bills actual text all this despite the fact that they are remaking one-sixth of the American economy and affecting all of our lives (and despite their long and ridiculous claims that the Affordable Care Act was rammed through Congress, when in fact it was debated for an entire year and was the subject of dozens of hearings and endless public discussion). We might talk about how every major stakeholder group the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, the AARP, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Heart Association, and on and on all oppose the bill.

Here are three big ways the new Republican bill might change health care in the United States. (Daron Taylor/The Washington Post)

All that matters. But the real problem is whats in the bill itself. Here are some of the things it does:

It is no exaggeration to say that if it were to become law, this bill would kill significant numbers of Americans. People who lose their Medicaid, dont go to the doctor, and wind up finding out too late that theyre sick. People whose serious conditions put them up against lifetime limits or render them unable to afford whats on offer in the high-risk pools, and are suddenly unable to get treatment.

[Did Republicans just score a win on health care or lose?]

Those deaths are not abstractions, and those who vote to bring them about must be held to account. This can and should be a career-defining vote for every member of the House. No one who votes for something this vicious should be allowed to forget it ever. They should be challenged about it at every town hall meeting, at every campaign debate, in every election and every day as the letters and phone calls from angry and betrayed constituents make clear the intensity of their revulsion at what their representatives have done.

Perhaps this bill will never become law, and its harm may be averted. But that would not mitigate the moral responsibility of those who supported it. Members of Congress vote on a lot of inconsequential bills and bills that have a small impact on limited areas of American life. But this is one of the most critical moments in recent American political history. The Republican health-care bill is an act of monstrous cruelty. It should stain those who supported it to the end of their days.

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Every Republican who voted for this abomination must be held accountable - Washington Post (blog)

Republican Party, Marine Le Pen, Baton Rouge: Your Thursday Evening Briefing – New York Times


New York Times
Republican Party, Marine Le Pen, Baton Rouge: Your Thursday Evening Briefing
New York Times
The vote lends momentum to President Trump's Capitol Hill agenda, but it could also leave moderate Republicans facing a backlash from their constituents. Above, Mr. Trump congratulated House Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republicans at the White ...

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Republican Party, Marine Le Pen, Baton Rouge: Your Thursday Evening Briefing - New York Times

Meet the Republicans Who Voted ‘No’ on the Health Care Bill – Roll Call

By BRIDGET BOWMAN and SIMONE PATH

Twenty Republicans bucked their party and voted against thehealth care overhaulon Thursday.

More than half of the members who voted no are part of the Tuesday Group, a collection ofmoderate House Republicans. Nine of the lawmakers represent districts that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton carriedin November. President Donald Trump carried the districts of 11 of the members voting no.. But all of the lawmakers outperformed Trump last fall.

Fourteen of theno votes are Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee targets. Five of the lawmakers are also part of the National Republican Campaign Committees Patriot Program, which assists members in tough races.

Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs: The freshman lawmaker was the only member of the Freedom Caucusto oppose the bill. He hails from thesafely Republican 5th District where he overperformed Trump by nearly 7 points last fall. Biggs benefited from the Club for Growths support in a 2016 primary, but it remains to be seen how outside groups will treat the conservative holdout. The club announcedits support for the Meadows-MacArthur amendment last week and said Thursday it has no plans to oppose Biggs for his vote against the bill. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates his race Solid Republican.

Colorado Rep. Mike Coffman: Also a Tuesday Group member, Coffman was leaning toward voting yes on the original version of the bill in March. Hours before Thursdays vote, he announced he was concerned that some Americans with pre-existing conditions wouldnt be covered under the Meadows-MacArthur amendment and he wasnt willing to support a bill without seeing a CBO score. A perennial Democratic target, Coffman represents a suburban district outside Denver with a diverse population that voted for Clinton by 9 points. He overperformed Trump by nearly 10 points, but hes once again at the top of the DCCCs target list, and the NRCC added him to the Patriot Program earlier this week. Inside Elections rates his raceLeans Republican.

Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock: A member of the moderate Tuesday Group, Comstock would have had a hard time defending a vote for the bill in a suburban district outside Washington, D.C., thats a favorite Democratic target. The NRCC included her on its initial Patriot Program list for vulnerable members in February. Her survival likely depends on her ability to distance herself from her party and Trump when necessary. She did that well last cycle, overperforming Trump by 11 points in a district Clinton carried by 10 points. Inside Elections this raceLeans Republican.

Pennsylvania Rep. Ryan A. Costello: Another Tuesday Group member, Costello represents a district outside Philadelphia that narrowly voted for Clinton last fall. The sophomore, who chairs the NRCCs Patriot Program, easily overcame a Democratic challenge last year from an underwhelming candidate. He overperformed Trump by 10 points. But Democrats are once again targeting the seat, hoping they can knock him off with the right candidate. Inside Elections rates his raceLikely Republican.

Pennsylvania Rep. Charlie Dent: A co-chairman of the Tuesday Group, Dent is the rare GOP moderate whos not vulnerable. He won his seventh term last fall by a comfortable 20-point margin, overperforming Trump by 7points. Trump still carried the district, which is rated Solid Republican.

New York Rep. Dan Donovan: Democrats didnt seriously contest this Staten Island-based district last year after Donovan won a special election in 2015. He went on to win his first full term by 26 points. Trump did well here, too, defeating Clinton by about 10 points in a district Obama narrowly carried in 2012. But this Tuesday Group member is now one of eight New York Republicans on the DCCCs initial target list. Inside Elections rates his raceSolid Republican.

Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick: ATuesday Group freshman, Fitzpatrick won theBucks County seat vacated by his brother by 9 points last fall. Hes a moderate in a district that Trump carried by less than half a point. Democrats are always trying to pick off Philadelphia suburban seats, and next year will be no exception. Fitzpatrick is both a DCCC target and a member of the NRCCs Patriot Program. His race is rated Lean Republican.

Washington Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler:Another Tuesday Group member, shes one of three female Republicans who voted against the bill. Shes never been in much danger before, winning a fourth term last fall with62 percent of the vote. But Trump carriedher district withless than 50 percent, and shes a DCCC target in 2018. Her race is rated Solid Republican.

Texas Rep. Will Hurd: The second-term congressman is one of the most vulnerable GOP incumbents, and is among the DCCC targets and NRCC Patriots. Clinton carriedhis southwest Texas district, whileHurd overperformed Trump by roughly 2points. Inside Elections rates his race a Tossup.

North Carolina Rep. Walter B. Jones: The 12-term Liberty Caucus member does his own thing and isnt afraid to buck leadership. He represents a solidly red district on North Carolinas coast, which he won by 7 points more than Trump last fall. Any electoral danger Jones would face for his vote would come in a primary. He secured the GOP nod by less than 6 points in 2014. But two years later, he easily dispatched two primary challengers. Plus, the Jones names goes far in this district; his father represented the same area for 26 years. Inside Elections rates his raceSolid Republican.

Ohio Rep. David Joyce: The Ohio Republican is not a DCCC target. Trump carried Joyces GOP-leaning district in 2016 but the Tuesday Group memberoutperformed himby 9 points. Inside Elections rates his race Solid Republican.

New York Rep. John Katko: The second-term congressman is a DCCC target and also part of the NRCCs Patriot Program. Clinton carriedhis upstate New York district, but Katko overperformed Trump by 15 points. Katko has raised concerns about the bills effect on coverage costs. Inside Election rates his raceLikely Republican.

New Jersey Rep. Leonard Lance:The fifth-term congressman represents a district that Clinton won in 2016, making him a DCCC target next year. He outperformed Trump by roughly 5 points last November. Like other House Republicans, Lance has faced questions about the GOPs health care plans at a recent town hall meetingsin his district. The Tuesday Group member touted his position that lawmakers should repair the 2010 health care law, which differs from the GOP mantra to repeal and replace. His race is rated Likely Republican.

New Jersey Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo:The Tuesday Group member, first elected in 1994, is one of the Democrats targets in 2018. Hes an original opponent of the bill, saying last week that no one in his district liked it. Trump won his district in 2016, though voters chose Obama in 2008 and 2012. In 2016, LoBiondo outperformed Trump by nearly 7 points. His race is rated Solid Republican.

Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie:He is one of the few conservatives who was not swayed to support the bill by an amendment allowing states to waive some insurance coverage requirements. Massie is not a member of the Freedom Caucus but votes with the most conservative House members. For Massie, the GOP bill did not fully repeal the 2010 law. Massie overperformed Trump by 6 points. Inside Elections rates his raceSolid Republican.

Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Meehan: A member of the Tuesday Group, Meehan is a DCCC target in 2018 since Clinton won his southeastern Pennsylvania district. But the fourth-term congressman outperformed Trump by roughly 12 points in November. His race is rated Likely Republican.

Washington Rep. Dave Reichert: The seven-term member, another Tuesday Group moderate, was supportive of the original GOP bill in March. He came out against the latest version shortly before Thursdays vote, saying it did not provide the essential protections he needed to support it. Reichert easily won re-election last year, but Clinton narrowly carried his district, making him a DCCC target in 2018. Inside Elections rates his raceSolid Republican.

Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: The veteran congresswoman recently announced she will retire after this Congress, increasing Democrats chances of flipping her district, which Clinton won in 2016 by nearly 20 points. Ros-Lehtinen, in her 14th full term, said the amendments to the GOP bill were fig leaves, adding, I feel bad for all the vulnerable members. Ros-Lehtinen outperformed Trump by nearly 16 points last fall. Inside Elections rates her raceLean Democratic following her retirement announcement.

New Jersey Rep. Christopher H. Smith: The veteran congressman wasnt on the DCCCs initial target list and is currently in his 19th term in the House. Trump carriedSmiths district but Smith outperformed Trump by nearly 8 points. His race is rated Solid Republican.

Ohio Rep. Michael R. Turner: The eight-term lawmaker wasnt on the original whip lists as a no, but he said in a statement immediately after the vote that he couldnt support a bill that would leave our most vulnerable citizens with inadequate health coverage and that he had repeatedly voiced those concerns to leadership. He represents a safeRepublican seat that Trump carried by 7 points. His race is rated Solid Republican.

Correction 4:20 p.m. | An earlier version of the story incorrectly identified Rep. Christopher H. Smith as a member of the Tuesday Group.

Lindsey McPherson, Erin Mershon and Andrew Siddons contributed to this report.

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Meet the Republicans Who Voted 'No' on the Health Care Bill - Roll Call