In a blow to GOP, Michigan Rep. Fred Upton to vote no on health care

[still_one]

WASHINGTON — Michigan's Fred Upton, a respected moderate Republican lawmaker, dealt a significant blow today to the languishing GOP health care bill, saying he opposes it even as leaders in the U.S. House seek support from holdouts in hopes of pushing the measure through the chamber this week.

Upton, R-St. Joseph, who until this year chaired the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said he was against the legislation. He said it would undermine insurance protections current law gives people with pre-existing illnesses, a view disputed by supporters of the legislation.

The bill is a top priority for President Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., since it embodies a long-standing GOP pledge to annul much of former President Barack Obama’s health care law.

Upton’s defection is important because at a moment when every vote counts, opposition by the 16-term House veteran could make it easier for other uneasy moderates to vote no. So far, GOP leaders are short of the 216 votes they will need to prevail, and despite White House prodding have said a vote will occur only once they can succeed.

.........


Upton told the Associated Press on today that the bill’s treatment of people with pre-existing illnesses “does not fit” with comments Trump made in an interview last weekend. The president said “Pre-existing conditions are in the bill.”

http://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2017/05/02/michigan-rep-fred-upton-obamacare/101201136/

[LenaBaby61]

1. You know it's bad for tRumputin and the GOP ...

When you lose a clown like Upton's vote.

[brooklynite]

2. I believe that makes 23, and that kills it.

[still_one]

3. I hope so brooklynite

[LessAspin]

4. Of course Kate Upton's uncle did a 180 on that

and now he's a target...

Link to tweet

Michigan Rep. Fred Upton, for example, is now a target. He represents an R+4 district but won his most recent election by 22 percentage points. He’s an influential senior Republican who served as chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee for six years. It’s the way he recently utilized that influence and seniority, though, that’s landed him on the DCCC’s chopping block. After first saying he wouldn’t vote for the revived AHCA, he secured an amendment that brought him and several other reluctant members on board. The bill passed shortly thereafter. It’s not a stretch to say that Upton’s efforts clinched the final votes for the AHCA. Democrats will say that. Many times...

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/05/democrats_just_expanded_their_targets_for_2018_house_races_why_that_s_so.html