Republicans have promised for seven years to repeal Obamacare.
Now that they control both Houses of Congress and the White House, the goal is within grasp.
But Paul Ryan is hiding something that could destroy the effort and ruin Trump’s presidency.
Conservatives are getting worried.
Speaker Ryan has yet to commit to pass a full repeal of Obamacare like they did in 2015.
The initial draft of an Obamacare bill maintained key parts of Obamacare.
Conservatives such as Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Mike Lee and the House Freedom Caucus refused to support the bill, and leadership claimed it was no longer viable.
So they got to work on a new draft of a repeal bill.
But Paul Ryan is keeping it under lock and key.
And that continues to worry conservatives.
The New York Times reports:
It was “find the Affordable Care Act replacement” day on Thursday as publicity-seeking Democrats — and one frustrated Republican — scampered through Capitol corridors, hunting for an elusive copy of a bill that Republican leaders have withheld from the public as they search for party unity.
Just a week before two powerful House committees plan to vote on the measure, opponents spent hours making the point that almost no one has actually seen legislation that would affect the lives and pocketbooks of millions of Americans.
Senator Rand Paul tried to view the bill – and even brought his own photocopy machine so he could obtain a copy – but was denied access and was not allowed to see this bill.
I have been told that the House Obamacare bill is under lock & key, in a secure location, & not available for me or the public to view.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) March 2, 2017
I am heading to the secure location where they are keeping the House obamacare bill. I will demand a copy for the American people.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) March 2, 2017
Paul and other conservatives worry the bill is nothing but Obamacare-lite.
Repealing Obamacare was central to GOP victories in 2010, 2014 and 2016.
Paul Ryan is concealing the legislation, and it could undermine the entire repeal effort.
If the GOP fails to fulfill their promise, it would prove disastrous in the 2018 midterms.
Republican voters would turn their backs on the party.
If the Democrats win control of Congress, they could block the entire Trump agenda or even move on impeachment.
