Arizona Rep. Trent Franks signals advancement in passing GOP health care bill
Mar 23, 2017, 7:50 PM | Updated: 8:46 pm
U.S. Rep. Trent Franks. (AP File Photo)
(AP File Photo)
PHOENIX — Lawmakers are one step closer to passing the an Obamacare replacement bill in the House, Arizona Rep. Trent Franks said on Thursday.
In an interview with Fox News’s Tucker Carlson, Franks signaled support for the American Health Care Act, shortly after a vote on the bill was unexpectedly delayed for one day on Thursday.
“It looks like it’s going in a better direction,” Franks said. “The Freedom Caucus has prevailed in getting a critical amendment that will be going on tonight or early in the morning, so only time will tell.”
The Freedom Caucus, which Franks is a member of, remained unwavered in its efforts to advance amendments to the bill. Its 29 conservative members have largely opposed the act due to its proposed cuts to Medicaid.
“I’m grateful for the Freedom Caucus and their willingness to go at it for as long as they can,” Franks said. “It releases creative tension and it makes things happen — I wish it would be easier.”
But Franks said the caucus has prevailed in influencing the bill “in the right direction.” However, the Arizona representative still refused to say which way he will vote on Friday, saying he’s “remained undeclared.”
Franks, who was in office seven years ago when former President Barack Obama legalized Obamacare, openly expressed his disdain for the Byrd Rule.
The Byrd Rule is a 1985 Senate rule that allows senators to block a bill if it contains an “extraneous matter” or something “merely incidental” while it goes through budget reconciliation process. Experts have said this rule could block the passage of the American Health Care Act as soon as it hits the floor of the Senate.
Franks said the rule has put Republican lawmakers “in an impossible position to do what [their] base wants, but the rules won’t allow.”
“People don’t understand that — [the Byrd Rule] is kind of like slamming a camel through a key hole, he’s a little worse for wear on the other side,” Franks said.
So far, the only Republican representative from Arizona to fully support the bill is Rep. David Schweikert. Rep. Martha McSally has voiced her support and secured an additional $15 billion to put toward maternity care, substance abuse treatment and mental health care on Thursday.
On Thursday, Rep. Andy Biggs joined Rep. Paul Gosar as the two Arizona Republican representatives who have opposed it.
