Late night host Jimmy Kimmel has been the unexpected lead spokesperson against the Graham-Cassidy bill in Congress. The comedian, who jumped into the debate after his newborn son experienced a heart defect, had Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) on his show over the summer to press him about the importance of protecting pre-existing conditions in any bill to repeal and replace Obamacare. Cassidy assured him that any legislation he proposed would pass “the Jimmy Kimmel test.”
A few months later, and Kimmel is accusing Cassidy of going back on his word. The Graham-Cassidy bill does not protect pre-existing conditions, Kimmel told his audience last week. The senator "lied" right to his face.
“Obamacare really needs work,” Kimmel admitted Monday night. But, he rejected the idea that the legislation is a “disaster” as so many Republicans have insisted and suggested any replacement would be much worse.
However, a relieved Kimmel informed his audience that “common sense and decency prevailed” on Friday when Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) “rode in and pulled a red wedding on this thing,” Kimmel said, relieved.
“John McCain probably saved the Republican Party,” Kimmel concluded.
The comedian tweeted his thanks to McCain, who refused to support an earlier effort to repeal Obamacare.
Thank you @SenJohnMcCain for being a hero again and again and now AGAIN
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) September 22, 2017
Kimmel also thanked Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), who likewise said she could not in good conscience vote for Graham-Cassidy. The audience cheered.
The best news, Kimmel said, is now that the Obamacare repeal effort is dead “he can go back talking about the Kardashians.”
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