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McConnell Warns Republicans Against Voting Against GOP Health Care Bill

‘I would hate to be a Republican whose vote prevented us’ from repealing Obamacare, Majority leader says

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., issued a word of warning for Republicans reluctant to support the GOP's new health bill. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., issued a word of warning for Republicans reluctant to support the GOP's new health bill. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued a warning Tuesday to Republicans considering voting against the GOP repeal of the 2010 health care law on Thursday.

“I would hate to be a Republican whose vote prevented us from keeping the commitment we’ve made to the American people for almost 10 years now,” McConnell said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The Kentucky Republican said he expected President Donald Trump to convince reluctant Republicans to support the repeal.

“The president has been very effective in helping in the House with the health care bill,” he said. “And we intend, once it comes over from the House, to have the president weigh in with our folks as well.”

McConnell also attributed the turmoil surrounding House Republicans’ proposal to replace the health care law as a “learning process” that comes with a return to governing after being in the minority for a long time.

“I’m optimistic that none of my members in the end want to be responsible for the status quo on Obamacare,” McConnell told the AP.

But he shot down parts of the president’s budget, including cuts to foreign aid.

“America being a force is a lot more than building up the Defense Department,” McConnell said. “Diplomacy is important, extremely important, and I don’t think these reductions at the State Department are appropriate because many times diplomacy is a lot more effective — and certainly cheaper — than military engagement.

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