After a media hiatus, the Koch brothers emerged yesterday (Wednesday) when spokesmen from their powerful network of conservative donor organizations lashed out against the passage of Trumpcare
"In seven years, we have never wavered in our commitment to a full repeal of [Obamacare]," declared Tim Phillips, president of Koch-backed conservative ad group Americans for Prosperity. "We want to make certain that lawmakers understand the policy consequences of voting for a law that keeps Obamacare intact."
The statement came less than 24 hours ahead of today's big healthcare vote from Congress. Republican leaders will decide whether to repeal and replace Obamacare with a bill known as the American Health Care Act (AHCA) -- also dubbed "Trumpcare" and "Obamacare 2.0."
There has been much contention among congressional GOPers over the AHCA since details were released on March 7. A group of conservatives in the House known as the "House Freedom Caucus" spoke out against the AHCA immediately after its big reveal. The group claims Trumpcare fails to fully repeal Obamacare and instead patches portions of it with arguably more damaging initiatives.
For example, the Freedom Caucus says the AHCA doesn't properly address and fix heavy-handed insurance regulations set out by the Obama administration, such as the requirement that insurance companies cover certain maternity and preventative care items.
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In response to the backlash, President Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that the dissenters' House seats would surely be lost and replaced in the 2018 midterm election if they didn't fall in line.
The president singled out one defiant conservative lawmaker in particular - Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), chairman of the Freedom Caucus: "I'm going to come after you," the POTUS said in a closed-door meeting, according to The New York Times that day.
President Trump's pressure tactics seemed to have provoked big money conservative lobbyists Charles and David Koch to step in.
The multibillionaires have just pledged a "seven figures" fund to halt Trumpcare in its tracks -- and to threaten conservative representatives who don't fall in line...
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Koch Brothers Promise Millions to Anti-Trumpcare Lawmakers
Two delegates from the brothers' biggest grassroots activism and advertising groups, the aforementioned Americans for Prosperity and Freedom Partners, told the press that the Kochs are teaming up to create a "seven-figure" reserve fund to support the anti-Trumpcare movement.
This seven-figure sum will be spent on media, direct mail, and grassroots canvassing.
Americans for Prosperity has already begun a digital ad campaign thanking House members who have said they plan on voting against the bill.
AFP president Phillips added to his statement yesterday that the organization has a "history of following up and holding politicians accountable, but we will also be there to support and thank the champions who stand strong and keep their promise," reported Politico.
James Davis, executive vice president of Freedom Partners, also told the news outlet that the Koch brothers' network "will stand with lawmakers who keep their promise and oppose this legislation [fully]."
"Republicans have been promising to fully repeal Obamacare since it became law. [The AHCA] doesn't do that," he said.
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