On Recess, Republicans Face Antagonistic Home Crowds Over Health Bill
Rep. Joe Wilson, the South Carolina Republican who gained a measure of infamy after shouting “you lie” at President Barack Obama during a joint session of Congress in 2009, got the same treatment when he answered questions about health care. Other lawmakers were subjected to criticism, too.
The New York Times:
Congressman Who Shouted ‘You Lie’ At Obama Hears The Same From Constituents
Representative Joe Wilson, the South Carolina Republican who gained a measure of infamy after shouting “you lie” at President Barack Obama during a joint session of Congress in 2009, had that memorable catchphrase hurled back at him by a group of his constituents at a town hall event on Monday. The audience at the event, held at Aiken Technical College in Graniteville, S.C., near the state’s western border, was antagonistic from the start, booing audibly as he stepped to the lectern. But the conflict between Mr. Wilson and the crowd came to a head toward the end of the 40-minute question-and-answer period, when he responded to a question about Mr. Obama’s health care law. (Bromwich, 4/11)
Arizona Republic:
Rep. Andy Biggs Jeered On Health Care, Climate Change At Mesa Town Hall
Often drowning in jeers from liberal critics in his heavily conservative district, U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs maintained that the nation’s current health-care system is failing and insisted he wants more dramatic changes than those sought by Republican leaders in Washington. Biggs, a freshman holding his first town hall since taking office in January, expressed other views, from skepticism about climate change to broad support for the private sector over government, that were a flop with most of the 600 people gathered at Without Walls Church in Mesa. (Hansen, 4/11)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
David Perdue: It’s Time To Work With Democrats On Health Law
U.S. Sen. David Perdue said Republicans must strike a compromise with Democrats on a healthcare overhaul after the House GOP’s plan to go it alone ended in a disastrous failure... He didn’t offer any specifics on how he would cobble together enough bipartisan support behind a new healthcare proposal to replace the Affordable Care Act, but he chastised Republicans for making the “same mistakes the Democrats did” after Barack Obama’s election. (Bluestein, 4/11)
Iowa Public Radio:
Sen. Ernst Talks Health Care, Syria At Elkader Town Hall
Sen. Joni Ernst told constituents in Elkader Monday that health care has been the biggest topic at town hall meetings, and Congress needs to work hard on new health care legislation. She says she is worried the one remaining statewide health insurance carrier on Iowa's individual market will be free to raise its prices or will also pull out of the state. (Sostaric, 4/1!)
In other news, Obamacare ad campaigns begin airing —
The Washington Post Fact Checker:
Now, Democrats Attack Republicans For Failing To Protect Obamacare
Seven vulnerable Republican lawmakers are being targeted with $1 million in television spots by a liberal group backed by labor and progressive interests. The ads generally focus on the lawmakers’ apparent support for the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the failed House bill that was designed to replace the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare. The ad tries to capitalize on the interesting shift in public sentiment about Obamacare, suddenly more popular as it has come under legislative assault by the Trump administration. Let’s walk through the claims in the ad aimed at Issa. (Kessler, 4/12)
Politico Pro:
Obamacare Ad Wars Rage Over Recess
The Conservative Club for Growth today launched a $1 million ad buy targeting moderate Republicans who oppose the latest changes to the House GOP repeal plan. The ads will target Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and Chris Collins (R-N.Y.), as well as eight other moderates not yet identified. (Ehley, 4/11)
Arizona Republic:
Rep. Martha McSally Targeted For Supporting GOP Health Bill
Rep. Martha McSally and at least four other potentially vulnerable Republican members of Congress are being pressed during the two-week Easter recess over their support for the GOP's evolving health-care plan. The members targeted by the group Save My Care hold seats where voters chose Democrat Hillary Clinton over President Donald Trump in last year's general election. (Hansen, 4/11)