House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) said Wednesday that the House of Representatives will vote Thursday to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, and the Republican majority now has the votes to do it.
Media outlets were reporting that the vote decision came down after two Republican Reps. Fred Upton and Billy Long said they support the Republican plan after Upton proposed an amendment to the bill that would pour $8 billion to prop up risk pools to cover those with pre-existing condition.
However, there is still some doubt whether the Republican have the vote to pass the bill, and Rep. David Valadao, who represents portions of Kern County, is one of the Republican members who has been opposed to the changes. There are three other GOP members who also stand in opposition, but in a Tweet on Wednesday night, McCarthy signaled confidence.
Doing nothing is not an option. The American people are tied to #Obamacare’s sinking ship, and we have to act now. #AHCA https://t.co/xatmLH3cxU
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) May 3, 2017
The call for a vote has forced a furious anti-vote rally among Democrats and liberals via social media. By the early evening, the Vote No hashtag was trending No. 1 on Twitter and Facebook.
Sorry folks with depression, cancer, diabetes, etc. Nice to know you… #VoteNo pic.twitter.com/zSl1r8xNg6
— Donald Jordan (@donaldgjordan) May 4, 2017
Defeat Insurance Company Puppets… #VoteNo pic.twitter.com/xv884tNE58
— Peace Is Active (@peaceisactive) May 4, 2017
McCarthy, however, was resolute in the bill’s important points, including his assertion that Obamacare is failing,
Don’t believe the fear-mongering. Our plan will cover those with pre-existing conditions. Here’s how ↓ https://t.co/N7NooIER7j pic.twitter.com/im29YZQaRS
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) May 3, 2017
