Vice President Mike Pence called on lawmakers Tuesday to keep moving forward on healthcare reform, whether that means repealing the current Obamacare law or working on the health bills that have been introduced.
"President [Donald] Trump and I fully support the majority leader's decision to move forward with a bill that just repeals Obamacare and gives Congress time, as the president said, to work on a new healthcare plan that will start with a clean slate," Pence said during a speech at the Retail Advocates Summit in Washington, D.C.
"The Senate actually passed the very same bill in 2015 and sent it to President [Barack] Obama's desk, and they should do it again.
"But to be clear: The Senate should vote to repeal now and replace later, or return to the legislation carefully crafted in the House and Senate. But either way, inaction is not an option. Congress needs to step up. Congress needs to do their job and Congress needs to do their job now."
The Senate GOP's Better Care Reconciliation Act was dealt a double blow Thursday evening when two Republican senators said they would not support it, bringing the total number of Republicans opposing the legislation to at least four. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday morning that Republicans will employ a new tactic in their efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare.
"We will now try a different way to bring the American people relief from Obamacare," McConnell said.
Pence said the White House will keep fighting to erase the "disastrous consequences" Obamacare has delivered to Americans.
"We will rescue the American people from the disastrous consequences of Obamacare and restore a healthcare system based on personal responsibility, free-market competition, and state-based reform," Pence said.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., touted his state-based healthcare system last week and again Monday night after it became clear that the current bill in the Senate has stalled.
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