Vice President Mike Pence is encouraging his allies in the Republican-controlled Congress to show more urgency and complete this summer the goal of dismantling Obamacare and purposely move next to another Trump administration big priority: tax cuts.
Pence said: “First and foremost, this summer, this Congress must come together and heed the president’s leadership, and we must repeal and replace Obamacare. It’s time we take action.”
Pence made the call at a political rally in Iowa, one of the several states where major insurers have exited government-subsidized insurance markets. Pence added that Congress must “relieve Iowa and relieve America.”
Trump’s replacement bill for Obamacare narrowly passed the House of Representatives last month. Senate Republicans, however, are having difficulty agreeing on their own version, making Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel worried on the future of the healthcare legislation.
Insurers say they cannot plan yet if there are uncertainties about the health care legislation.
Pence stressed that: “Once we repeal and replace Obamacare, we’re going to roll our sleeves up, and working with these great leaders in Congress, we’re going to pass one of the largest tax cuts in American history.”
Pence, a former lawmaker himself representing Indiana, played a crucial role in building Trump’s relationship with lawmakers serving as the main White House liaison in Congress. He also casts the tie-breaking vote as vice president on legislation in the 100-member Senate. Republicans enjoy a slim 52-seat majority in the Senate.
Lawmakers are set to return to Capitol Hill on Monday after a week-long recess and Senate Republican staff are expected to present legislative actions on healthcare.
Pence expressed confidence that Congress will fulfill a Trump campaign promise. He said: “I know we will. The Obamacare nightmare is about to end. “
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