True to form, Dean Heller is being a total coward when it comes to Trumpcare. The Nevada senator is one of the most vulnerable Republicans up for re-election in 2018, and he seems to think that hiding out is the way to stay safe. Heller has refused to say anything about the bill so far, which isn’t winning him any friends:
The Nevada Democratic Party blasted Heller for being absent from the letter, estimating that 370,000 Nevadans could lose health coverage under the GOP bill. Nevada is one of 32 states, including Washington, D.C., that expanded Medicaid.
But Heller is also feeling the heat from within his own party from activists who want to see ObamaCare repealed.
One Nation, an advocacy group aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), has launched radio ads targeting the Nevada Republican.
It’s a simple question, really: Do you support a tax cut for the rich that will put health coverage out of reach for many Nevadans? And if not, why aren’t you speaking out against your party’s bill to do just that?
Heller may be hoping that extremists in the House kill the bill before he’s forced to take a position on it, but he’s not going to be able to dodge every single tough issue that comes up in the next 20 months. And even if he doesn’t have to vote on Trumpcare, Nevadans worried about losing their health insurance just may be paying attention to his cowardice on this one.