Sen. Tom Cotton said Tuesday that it’s vital for Republicans to get legislation repealing Obamacare right on the first try because he doesn’t believe there are going to be three steps to the process, as proponents have outlined.
“There is no three-step plan. That is just political talk,” Mr. Cotton, Arkansas Republican, told radio host Hugh Hewitt.
Republicans say there’s only so much legislation they can get through the first time around under agreed-to budget rules. Step two would then involve regulatory changes, followed by more legislation.
Mr. Cotton said step two could be subject to court challenges and that step three would involve “some mythical legislation in the future that is going to garner Democratic support and help us get over 60 votes in the Senate.”
“If we had those Democratic votes, we wouldn’t need three steps,” he said. “We would just be doing that right now on this legislation all together.”
“That’s why it’s so important that we get this legislation right. Because there is no step three, and step two is not completely under our control,” he said.
“Not a single American is going to get better or more affordable health care based on when the Congress passes a particular bill,” Mr. Cotton said. “Not a single American is ever going to cast their vote based on when that happens.”
“It’s important that we get this right — not that we get it fast,” he said.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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