John Yarmuth

John Yarmuth, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives budget committee, said Republican legislation to repeal former President Obama’s signature health care law “is in legislative quicksand.”

“It is sinking of its own weight, and every time the Republicans try to move one way or another, it is sinking faster,” said Yarmuth, of Kentucky, who is Jewish.

Republicans are feuding over the bill with some moderates spooked by projections it will cause 24 million Americans to lose their health insurance.

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Conservatives derisively say the new GOP bill is too similar to the Obamacare that they have spent years railing against.

Reflecting the conundrum, House Speaker Paul Ryan said on Wednesday the major elements of the overhaul plan backed by President Trump will not change.

The White House and Ryan struggled to shore up support among Republican lawmakers for the legislation ahead of a key hurdle in the House Budget Committee on Thursday. Vice President Mike Pence was set to met with conservative House lawmakers and then the entire Republican House membership.

“Obviously, the major components are staying intact because this is something we wrote with President Trump. This is something we wrote with the Senate committees,” Ryan told the Fox Business Network.—Reuters

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