Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) blasted conservative talk radio host Hugh Hewitt Friday for criticizing lawmakers’ opposition to the House GOP bill for repealing and replacing ObamaCare.
Hewitt needled Amash earlier Friday for not considering arguments in favor of voting for the American Health Care Act.
{mosads}Earlier that morning, Hewitt cast Republicans opposed the legislation as accidental allies of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) who will help preserve ObamaCare by voting against the replacement bill.
Amash is a House Freedom Caucus member and a leading critic of the legislation Republican leaders are currently struggling to pass in the lower chamber.
President Trump on Friday directly challenged the conservative group to back the House GOP’s ObamaCare repeal plan or risk indirectly supporting Planned Parenthood.
“The irony is that the Freedom Caucus, which is very pro-life and against Planned Parenthood, allows P.P. to continue if they stop this plan!” he tweeted. “After seven horrible years of ObamaCare (skyrocketing premiums & deductibles, bad healthcare) this is finally your chance for a great plan!”
GOP leaders cannot afford more than 22 defections in the House ahead of what is expected Friday afternoon vote on their healthcare bill.
Amash is one of 34 House Republicans currently opposing the measure, according to The Hill’s Whip List.