Freedom Caucus: There are 25 solid 'no' votes on Trumpcare

by Joan McCarter

Daily Kos Staff

Wednesday, Mar. 22, 2017 Wednesday, Mar. 22, 2017 at 10:56:18am PDT

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 07: Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) holds a news conference about the American Health Care Act outside his office in the U.S. Capitol March 7, 2017 in Washington, DC. The House Republican leadership's plan to repeal and replace Obamacare, the American Health Care Act is already facing opposition from conservatives in the House and Senate. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) — Who's gloating now, Paul Ryan?

Popular vote loser Donald Trump used his best negotiator skills Wednesday morning with the Freedom Caucus to convince them to vote for Trumpcare, and the Freedom Caucus says "no thanks."

BREAKING: more than 25 Freedom Caucus 'No's' on AHCA -- group says "start over"
— Alyssa Farah (@Alyssafarah) March 22, 2017

Who's Alyssa Farah? you ask. She's the maniacs' spokesperson. The bill can only lose 22 Republicans. So much for Paul Ryan's happy talk.

Ryan told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt Wednesday that he's optimistic heading into this decisive 24-hour period.
“We have a very engaged president. I am so pleased and impressed with Donald Trump and Mike Pence, who are really leaning into this thing, working hard, talking to members, brokering things, getting it done, leaning into it,” Ryan said.

Three of these guys (yeah, they're all guys) could potentially be arm-twisted or bribed into changing their votes. It's happened before, but it's important to note that opposition in at least one of the most comprehensive whip lists isn't just from the Freedom Caucus.

If there are as many as 25 Freedom Caucus members voting against it, that's a bit of cushion for the others—including moderates and purple-district members—to vote against it. They won't be sticking their necks out as far if it's clear the maniacs will kill it.

The House is still scheduled to vote on Trumpcare on THURSDAY, MARCH 23. Even if you already called your member of Congress, do it again by calling the Capitol Hill switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Jam the phone lines, urge them to vote NO. Maybe we can get this vote cancelled.