Tipsheet

Bernie Sanders Uses Iowa Rally to Urge GOP Senators to Vote No on Better Care Act

Sen. Bernie Sanders is calling on two of his colleagues to vote no on the latest version of a GOP plan to "repeal and replace" Obamacare.

Speaking in Des Moines at "Revolution Iowa: From Protest to Power," Sanders urged Iowa's senators to say no.

"We need one more Republican vote, and I say to Sen. Grassley and Sen. Ernst, please take a hard look at what this disastrous legislation will do to the people of Iowa and the people of America.

"This legislation is so bad, that the Republicans have refused to hold one public hearing and all of their deliberations are behind closed doors. That's how bad this legislation is.

"I say to Sens. Grassley and Ernst, if you don't believe me, then why don't you listen to virtually every major healthcare organization in this country. All of whom oppose this legislation."

Sens. Rand Paul and Susan Collins have already announced their opposition to the bill. If another Republican decides to vote against it, Sen. Mitch McConnell will not have enough votes to pass it, and it'll be back to the drawing board. At least five other senators have "strong reservations" about the bill or haven't announced which way they will vote.

Earlier this week Sen. Paul urged GOP leadership to pursue separate repeal and replace bills if this attempt fails.