WASHINGTON – Three months ago, Republicans condemned political groups aligned with President Donald Trump for doing almost nothing to promote a health care bill. Now they think one of the groups may have gone too far.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell decided Tuesday to call off a planned vote this week on a proposal to repeal and replace President Barack Obama’s health care law. Some on the Hill blamed the unexpected delay on aggressive tactics by America First Policies, a politically active nonprofit run by a former White House aide and Trump campaign veterans.
The group spent four days on a pull-no-punches campaign against Republican Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada, beginning shortly after he surprised members of his own party with a Friday afternoon press conference denouncing the Senate plan as written. Heller expressed concern about Medicaid cuts in the GOP bill.
In a social media push, the group first roped Heller to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. By Tuesday morning, ads had spread to radio and television in Heller’s home state, where he faces a tough re-election fight next year.
“Call Senator Heller. Tell him America needs him to keep his promise: Vote ‘yes’ to repeal and replace Obamacare,” the ads say.