Trump On Heller Who Opposed GOP Bill: 'He Wants To Remain A Senator, Doesn't He?'
- 7 years ago
During a White House meeting about health care Wednesday, President Trump appeared to put some pressure on one Republican senator opposed to the GOP bill by joking about his job security.
During a White House meeting about health care Wednesday, President Trump appeared to put some pressure on one Republican senator opposed to the GOP bill by joking about his job security, reports The Hill.
During remarks to the media, Trump said, “The other night I was very surprised when I heard a couple of my friends--my friends, they really were and are--they might not be very much longer but that’s okay.”
As the crowd laughed, Senator Dean Heller of Nevada, who was seated next to the president said, “Thanks for not looking this way.”
Pointing at Heller, Trump told the audience, “This was the one we were worried about.”
He then said to the senator, “You weren’t there, but you’re gonna be.”
As the audience laughed again, Trump said into the microphone, “Look, he wants to remain a senator, doesn’t he? Okay. And I think the people of your state, which I know very well, I think they’re gonna appreciate what you hopefully will do.”
Trump then seemed to return to his prepared remarks, saying, “Any senator who votes against starting debate is really telling America that you’re fine with ObamaCare.”
Heller, who is up for re-election next year in a state which voted for Hillary Clinton, has faced intense pressure from both sides about the GOP health care plan, reports PBS.
If he votes in favor of an overhaul, he would be going against Nevada’s Republican governor who has already spoken out against the bill’s deep Medicaid cuts; Heller’s personal safety may also be put in jeopardy, as he reportedly received a death threat earlier this week from someone claiming to need the coverage already provided.
However, a vote against the GOP effort would likely cause Heller to become further distanced from the White House and senior party leadership in addition to becoming a target for outside conservative groups.
Despite the challenges he and other Senate Republicans face, Trump appears to remain bullish on overhauling Obamacare; this morning, he tweeted, “I will be having lunch at the White House today with Republican Senators concerning healthcare. They MUST keep their promise to America!”
Soon after, he added, “The Republicans never discuss how good their healthcare bill is, & it will get even better at lunchtime.The Dems scream death as OCare dies!”
During a White House meeting about health care Wednesday, President Trump appeared to put some pressure on one Republican senator opposed to the GOP bill by joking about his job security, reports The Hill.
During remarks to the media, Trump said, “The other night I was very surprised when I heard a couple of my friends--my friends, they really were and are--they might not be very much longer but that’s okay.”
As the crowd laughed, Senator Dean Heller of Nevada, who was seated next to the president said, “Thanks for not looking this way.”
Pointing at Heller, Trump told the audience, “This was the one we were worried about.”
He then said to the senator, “You weren’t there, but you’re gonna be.”
As the audience laughed again, Trump said into the microphone, “Look, he wants to remain a senator, doesn’t he? Okay. And I think the people of your state, which I know very well, I think they’re gonna appreciate what you hopefully will do.”
Trump then seemed to return to his prepared remarks, saying, “Any senator who votes against starting debate is really telling America that you’re fine with ObamaCare.”
Heller, who is up for re-election next year in a state which voted for Hillary Clinton, has faced intense pressure from both sides about the GOP health care plan, reports PBS.
If he votes in favor of an overhaul, he would be going against Nevada’s Republican governor who has already spoken out against the bill’s deep Medicaid cuts; Heller’s personal safety may also be put in jeopardy, as he reportedly received a death threat earlier this week from someone claiming to need the coverage already provided.
However, a vote against the GOP effort would likely cause Heller to become further distanced from the White House and senior party leadership in addition to becoming a target for outside conservative groups.
Despite the challenges he and other Senate Republicans face, Trump appears to remain bullish on overhauling Obamacare; this morning, he tweeted, “I will be having lunch at the White House today with Republican Senators concerning healthcare. They MUST keep their promise to America!”
Soon after, he added, “The Republicans never discuss how good their healthcare bill is, & it will get even better at lunchtime.The Dems scream death as OCare dies!”