Club for Growth targets GOP lawmakers on ObamaCare repeal bill ahead of vote

The conservative Club for Growth launched a $500,000 ad campaign urging Republican lawmakers to oppose the ObamaCare replacement bill ahead of a floor vote in the House.

The ads target 10 GOP lawmakers — many of whom represent competitive districts — calling on them to reject the American Health Care Act, which some opponents have dubbed “RyanCare” after Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). The TV and digital spots will run for the next two days leading up to the Thursday vote on the House floor.

The ads specifically target GOP Reps. Leonard Lance (N.J.), Tom MacArthur (N.J.), John Katko (N.Y.), Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Rob Wittman (Va.), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Fla.), Pete King (N.Y.), Charlie Dent (Pa.), Darrell Issa (Calif.) and Don Bacon (Neb.).

{mosads}Many of them, including Ros-Lehtinen and Issa, have already said they can’t support the bill as is.

The Club for Growth noted that they are “encouraged” by the proposed changes by President Trump’s administration, but argued that House GOP leadership hasn’t gone far enough.

“Republicans promised a bill that would stop ObamaCare’s taxes and mandates, and replace them with free-market reforms that will increase health insurance competition and drive down costs,” said Club for Growth president David McIntosh.

“RyanCare fails on those counts, and that’s why the Club is letting millions of constituents know that their Representative should reject RyanCare.” 

Club for Growth isn’t the only Republican group trying to sway House lawmakers on healthcare reform.

American Action Network, which is aligned with House GOP leadership, has also been keeping up the pressure on GOP lawmakers, urging them to support the legislation.

The group went up with a six-figure radio ad campaign that will air on conservative talk radio stations targeting 28 districts .

Both ad pushes come as Trump met with the House Republican conference on Tuesday morning, issuing a warning that if members don’t support the bill, their seats could be in jeopardy in 2018 as well as the House majority.