The story below from the Hill is proof of how they’re planning to frame it:
Trump backs bipartisan fixes to Obamacare Markets
Read closely: it’s being billed as him making a huge step forward by supporting two popular ACA bipartisan bills to improve the stability of the markets.
Normally, this would be a good thing, but read more closely: this isn’t about fixing healthcare, it’s about providing a cover story for forcing through the tax bill. You can bet that Mitch McConnell, slimy manipulator he is, probably thought this one up without Schumer or Pelosi there to swindle Trump. Now, if Dems oppose it, they can be accused of bargaining in bad faith since they helped craft these two bills.
Not this time, though. This isn’t an effort to save healthcare, nor is it “only” an effort to jam through taxes. This is their last ditch, Hail Mary effort to cut taxes on the rich and gut Obamacare before the government shutdown is upon them.
Call your Senator today, tomorrow, and every day until they finally get that the Affordable Care Act isn’t going anywhere! You can reach the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121
Trump is only agreeing to those two bills being included IF the tax bill includes a repeal of the individual mandate, and Sen. Collins is already saying that she may accept this fig leaf to vote on the tax bill. More will follow if they think they can get cover for this. This will let them pretend to be working to save and improve healthcare while they continue to lie about the real impact of the tax bill. Worse, lots of Americans, the kind who skim headlines and summaries, will completely miss the two wrecking balls coming right for them.
This is how they’re going to try and force the Senate to swallow the reverse Robin Hood bill before them. Don’t let them get away with this, and don’t let the media frame this as bipartisanship paying off. It’s a cynical plot to kill the ACA and give billions to the rich in one fell swoop. Stay sharp, everyone.
UPDATE #1
First: Rec list? Thank you so much!! We have to spread the word on this, fast and loud! Mitch McConnell won’t lose a second bringing this bill to a vote once he thinks he can jam it through, we can’t let him have any peace trying to bring his caucus together on this!
I currently work as the Communications Coordinator for the Ruby Faye Woolridge for Congress Campaign. I knew she would want to spread the word as fast as possible to get people informed of what they’re trying to do. We’ve put out a statement to the press, and her comments are below:
Today Republican leadership in Congress chose to revive a failed idea and a failed approach to their responsibilities. After a lunch meeting with leadership it was indicated the President will support the passage of two bipartisan bills if the Individual Mandate is repealed as part of the tax cut legislation being debated by the senate.According to nonpartisan estimates, 13 million Americans will lose their health coverage without the Individual Mandate.
This is a heinous and underhanded attempt to once again try and rob the American people of their healthcare in the name of giving away huge breaks to those who need it least. The American people overwhelmingly support keeping and improving the Affordable Care Act,and this is more of the same unpopular “Repeal and Replace” talk that the voters already strongly rejected.
You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig. This is a blatant effort to slip “Repeal and Replace” past the voters in a tax bill that is nothing but a huge giveaway, while undermining the hard work of bipartisan lawmakers that are working to deliver the reforms Americans actually want.
I'm calling on Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn to protect the people of Texas and their healthcare by voting against this tax cut legislation and against any legislation that includes a repeal of the Affordable Care Act or the Individual Mandate. I urge all Texans to demand their Senators vote “NO” on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
We can’t stop fighting this, and we can’t let them slip this past us. Call your Senator now!!! If they’re a Democrat, urge them to call out their colleagues and do everything they can to delay and make noise. If they’re a Republican, make sure they know the people are watching and are wise to this little game they’re trying to play. We stopped this twice before already, we can do it again!
I am the Communications Coordinator for the Ruby Faye Woolridge for Congress Campaign in the TX-06 Congressional District. You can learn more about our candidate, campaign, or make a donation at www.vote4ruby.org.