Jewish Lawmakers To Follow Party Line In Major Healthcare Vote
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By Nathan Guttman March 22, 2017
The House of Representatives is set to vote Thursday on the American Health Care Act, also known as “Trumpcare,” “Ryancare,” or the “repeal and replace” bill, and Jewish members of Congress are breaking strictly by party line in what could be a tight vote.
All 20 Jewish Democrats in the House are expected to deliver a “no” vote, as will their other party members.
The two Jewish Republicans are also seen as safe vote for their party.
New York’s Lee Zeldin has made clear in a letter to constituents that he is supportive of the bill that would “provide relief from the significant amount of taxes and mandates enacted under the ACA.” Zeldin stressed, however, that there “must be a smooth transition to a better reality that will improve affordability, access, quality of care and option.”
Tennessee’s freshman Republican congressman David Kustoff, who is also Jewish, is still learning the “final product” of the legislation, according to local WKRN but his statements indicate support of the bill.
Neither Zeldin nor Kustoff are listed on any Republican whip list as potentially opposing the bill.
Contact Nathan Guttman at guttman@forward.com
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