California’s House Republicans voted for the Obamacare repeal that seems dead. Here’s what they’re saying now – Los Angeles Times
More than half of Californias 14 House Republicans face potentially tough battles in next years midterm election, and while some of them wavered until the last minute, all of them voted for the House healthcare plan in May.
But in the wee hours of Friday morning, the Senate failed in its apparent last-ditch effort to pass any kind of replacement for Obamacare.
For now, it looks as if congressional leaders are moving on from their healthcare reform efforts, but the Californians vote for a plan that would have taken health insurance from as many as 1 in 3 Californians is sure to be kept alive by the dozens of challengers who have signed up to run against them.
Democrats are plotting to use the healthcare vote as a cudgel against vulnerable Republicans in the same way votes for Obamacare were used to sweep Democrats out of the majority in 2010. And winning at least some of California's GOP seats is crucial to Democratic efforts to win back the House.
The party blasted out news releases Friday saying the representatives "can't turn back time and undo the damaging vote they took to kick 23 million Americans off their health insurance and jack up premiums for millions more. ... [They] own the Republican health care disaster and it will haunt them in 2018."
At the time of the House vote, several of Californias Republican representatives said they were keeping their years-long promise to repeal President Obamas signature law. Others said they were trying to move the process forward with the expectation the Senate would make the bill better.
Now they say they're disappointed the Senate couldn't agree on a way to repeal Obamacare, but none is too concerned about the political effects of voting for the House version, which polls have shown was very unpopular.
Rep. Jeff Denham of Turlock initially said he couldnt back the House bill, but voted for it after getting a commitment from GOP leaders to work on access to healthcare, especially in rural areas. He said Friday he was frustrated the Senate couldnt pass anything.
I expect to see this place work," Denham said. Im certainly disappointed that they werent able to move the ball forward."
Sarah D. Wire
Here's how the Republicans of California voted on the House bill to replace Obamacare.
Here's how the Republicans of California voted on the House bill to replace Obamacare. (Sarah D. Wire)
Hours before the Senate's failed vote, Denham held a campaign fundraiser in Washington for his 50th birthday with top House leaders. Denham has drawn at least eight opponents in a district where hes frequently challenged, but said he wasnt worried about being attacked for his healthcare vote.
Yes, [House Minority Leader] Nancy Pelosi will always target me and we will continue to focus on our district issues, and I think when I do that weve been very successful by a wide margin, Denham said. I certainly dont vote because Nancy Pelosi sends people into my district; I focus on my district.
Denham said he expects to meet with doctors, hospitals and patients during the August recess to talk about other potential healthcare legislation.
He and fellow vulnerable Central Valley Republican Rep. David Valadao of Hanford introduced legislation this week to increase the number of doctor training positions available in areas with high Medicaid populations, something that fits the description of their rural districts, where residents saw some of the biggest benefits from the Medi-Cal expansion under the Affordable Care Act.
Valadao said he was disappointed by the Senate's failure, and believes Republicans still have an obligation to do something about Obamacare.
We do have to have some legislation move forward, he said. Hopefully well get an opportunity to get something done soon.
Prior to the House vote, Rep. Darrell Issa of Vista had said the bill could be improved and he was on the fence about how to vote. Hed barely scraped out a win last year by fewer than 2,000 votes, and more opponents were lining up to challenge him again.
He said he ultimately voted for it because he had faith the Senate would send back a better bill. Issa even nudged Senate leadership twice to consider his idea to offer federal employees healthcare plans to more or all Americans. He said in a statement Friday that hell keep pushing colleagues on that idea.
"Its disappointing, but we cant give up now. Obamacare is still failing and we must bring young adults, families, small business and all Americans relief. We need to keep up the fight," he said.
Rep. Steve Knight of Palmdale, the last Republican congressman in Los Angeles County, said the House had done its part and its still up to the Senate to decide what happens next. Asked about the political ramifications of his vote, he laughed.
Democrats targeted my district way before any vote I made, said Knight, who was among the members expected to be greeted by planned healthcare protests in their hometowns as the House embarked on a monthlong recess Friday. This was a very difficult vote, everybody knows that, but were going to move forward.
Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), whose Northern California seat is not considered to be at risk, said members should confidently explain their positions to voters.
Were here to make hard votes, [we]re here to make votes of conscience. Some guys and gals will complain, Oh, now were out on record with a hard vote you know the guys in the tougher districts but at the end of it, you have a reason that you are supposed to be here, LaMalfa said. If you cant justify your position outside the politics, then why are you here?
Read the original here:
California's House Republicans voted for the Obamacare repeal that seems dead. Here's what they're saying now - Los Angeles Times
- Its really theft: the Republican plan to redraw Texas maps and grab more power - The Guardian - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Trump Flips Out at Republican Lawmaker Exposing the Party on Epstein - Yahoo Home - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Republican divide over Fed renovation grows - Semafor - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Opinion | Heres the most baffling part of the Republican budget bill - The Washington Post - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Exclusive | NY Young Republican Club urges Congress to disqualify Mamdani from NYC mayoral race accuses him of giving US enemies aid and comfort -... - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- A Fourth Candidate, And First Republican, Ruth Bittner, Joins The Race To Fill Late Rep. Hortmans Vacant House Seat - Patch - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Republican Rep. Slams Mike Johnson Over Epstein Files As House Is Shut Until September To Block Vote - Latin Times - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Hernando County Republican Blaise Ingoglia sworn in as Florida CFO - Creative Loafing Tampa Bay - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Trump Flips Out at Republican Lawmaker Exposing the Party on Epstein - The New Republic - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Sarah McBride's first bill just passed Congress & not one Republican voted against it - Yahoo Home - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Pallone slams Republican cuts to beach replenishment funding: 'Theyre pulling the sand out from under us' - Insider NJ - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Murray, UW Medicine & Harborview CEOs Sound Alarm on How Republican Medicaid Cuts Will Devastate Hospitals, Threaten Specialty Care People in... - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- DAVID MARCUS: Stephen Colberts character is the latest never-Trump Republican to fall - Fox News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Inside the House Republican-led plot to defy Trump on the Epstein files - Axios - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- One WA Republican chisels at the MAGA wall on immigration - The Seattle Times - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Republican rumblings: on Trump and the Epstein files - The Hindu - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- What Musk's fracture with Trump means for GOPs future: Beating heart of the Republican Party - Fox News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Whats in the Republican bill cutting $9 billion from public broadcasting and foreign aid - Hot Springs Sentinel Record - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Republican Miller, Democrat Berry discuss priorities ahead of Aug. 5 special election for 20th House district - Bay to Bay News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Letters to the editor: Republican debt solution, response to Epstein - Macomb Daily - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Republican lawmakers trying to repeal governor's 400-year funding veto - WKOW - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Jill Biden aide invokes Fifth to decline testimony in Republican investigation - ABC News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Tensions over Epstein files complicate Republican plan to vote on cuts bill - The Guardian - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Jill Biden aide invokes Fifth to decline testimony in Republican investigation - AP News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- 2004 to 2024, Part Two: When Each State Was at its Most Republican - Center For Politics - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Republican Scott Jensen to run for governor again in 2026, says state budgeting has been 'irresponsible' - 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- What's in the Republican bill cutting $9 billion from public broadcasting and foreign aid - yourvalley.net - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- They took it to the next level: Emmer breaks down the Republican crypto rebellion - Semafor - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Whats in the Republican bill cutting $9 billion from public broadcasting and foreign aid - WOWK 13 News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Republican Tax Bill Is a Losing Deal for Gamblers - The New York Times - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Mike Johnson Reacts to Republican Blowback Over Jeffrey Epstein - Newsweek - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- JD Vance urges Republican voters to 'talk to your friends' about the 'big, beautiful bill' - NBC News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Key Senate Republican thinks deal in the offing over FBI HQ location dispute - Politico - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Georgia's Raffensperger calls for return of donations after Republican donor accused of Ponzi scheme - Colorado Newsline - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Three Republican senators break with Trump to vote against codifying DOGE spending cuts - The Independent - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Moore taps Carroll County Republican, Army vet to head veterans department - Maryland Matters - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Key Senate Republican to meet with Trump on funding clawback request - Politico - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoes Republican-backed bill aimed at banning certain books in schools - WMUR - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- The Republican senators to watch on cutting PBS, NPR and foreign aid funding - Axios - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- This small House Republican caucus held US stablecoin bill hostage until Trump cracked the whip - CryptoSlate - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Why more of Hobbs Arizona agency director nominees won Republican approval this year - KJZZ - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Homeland Security's Noem says in talks with five Republican-led states to build detention site - Reuters - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- 'Danger of Musks potential third party is [splitting] Republican votes: Tanden - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Herridge to resign as West Virginia Republican chairman, focus on cabinet role - News and Sentinel - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Rep. Brendan Boyle: You need four Republican Senators to stand up and have the courage to vote, no - MSN - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- The Frederick County Republican Central Committee wants to appoint candidates for the upcoming municipal elections in Frederick. But the filing... - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- Raabe: On Monday, Remember The Greenwich Republican Party IS the National Republican Party - Greenwich Free Press - July 14th, 2025 [July 14th, 2025]
- 'Sacred Covenant' How the Paxton divorce rocks the bruising Republican Senate primary in Texas - Fox News - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Wisconsin businessman and Navy SEAL Bill Berrien launches Republican campaign for governor - WPR - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Redrawing Texas: the Republican plan to stack the decks for the midterms - The Guardian - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- After recent vetoes, it's time for DeWine to restore Republican Party | Letters - Yahoo News - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Exclusive | The Republican Strategy to Win Without Trump on the Ballot - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- The Big Bad Republican Bill Wasnt Regressive Enough for the Anti-Tax Crusaders - Mother Jones - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Can the National Education Association Win Over Republican Members? - Education Week - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Texas keeps getting slammed by extreme weather catastrophes, but its Republican rulers remain contemptuous of climate science - Northwest Progressive... - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Exclusive | The Republican Strategy to Win Without Trump on the Ballot - WSJ - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Another Republican enters race to succeed Andy Barr in U.S. House - Kentucky Lantern - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Republican tax and spending cut megabill expected to take billions from Oregon Health Plan - Oregon Capital Chronicle - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Up Close with Bill Ritter: Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa on race for NYC mayor; Democrats try to unite behind Zohran Mamdani - ABC7 New York - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Exclusive / Moreno set to replace Tillis on Republican whip team - Semafor - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Chairman of Randall County Republican Party arrested for election fraud - KVII - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Republican Backs Push to Repeal Part of Trump Bill Days After Voting For It - Newsweek - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Republican The View Co-Host Admits to Crying Backstage at Least Half a Dozen Times - The Daily Beast - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Wisconsin Republican compares himself to Trump as he launches his bid for governor - AP News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Opinion | Jeff Flake: The Republican Fever Must Break - The New York Times - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Two women accuse Republican state lawmaker of making unwanted sexual advances. He denies the allegations. - The Colorado Sun - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- 1988: A year that echoes in Georgia Republican politics to this day - SaportaReport - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Manassas Republican Party Headquarters vandalized over July 4 weekend - Washington Times - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Republican House leader Windschitl announces campaign for Congress in western Iowa - thegazette.com - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Public Safety Should Trump Politics; The High Cost of Republican Posturing - Progress Texas - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Georgia Republican says grandchildren are safe after being at Texas summer camp that flooded - The Hill - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Two women accuse Republican State Representative of inappropriate sexual behavior - KUSA.com - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- New York Times columnist admits that Trump is a 'normie Republican' - Fox News - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- E&E News: Energy winners and losers in the Republican megabill - POLITICO Pro - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Completely beatable: Dems go on offensive over unpopular Republican budget - MSNBC News - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Rep. Mark Green resigns from Congress, leaving Speaker Johnson with an even narrower Republican majority in the House - CNBC - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- A swing-district Republican on why he supports Trump's sweeping policy bill : Here & Now Anytime - NPR - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Trumps climate research cuts are unpopular, even with Republican voters - Yale Climate Connections - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Energy winners and losers in the Republican megabill - E&E News by POLITICO - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Tax Cuts Now, Benefit Cuts Later: The Timeline in the Republican Megabill - The New York Times - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]