Dem tells GOP colleague: Turn on your phone, take calls on TrumpCare

Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) said he’s fielding calls from constituents of his home-state Republican colleague, Rep. John Faso, about the GOP’s ObamaCare repeal-and-replace plan. 

Hey @RepJohnFaso could you turn your phones on? Your #NY19 constituents are calling my office. #Trumpcare

— Sean Patrick Maloney (@RepSeanMaloney) May 4, 2017

Faso announced Thursday that he would back the American Health Care Act, hours ahead of an expected House vote on the controversial legislation.

{mosads}“After careful review of the changes to the American Health Care Act, I believe that this legislation addresses my concerns and I will support the AHCA as amended,” he said.

The House will consider the AHCA Thursday in what is expected to become a high-stakes vote that comes down to the wire. The move comes after an amendment released late Wednesday listing as co-sponsors four lawmakers who were previously undecided or against the bill.

Maloney opposes the GOP bill and tweeted that his office has received hundreds of calls “to say NO to #Trumpcare.”

Hundreds have called my office to say NO to #Trumpcare. I agree. Not too late to call Congress 202-224-3121 #VoteNoAHCA

— Sean Patrick Maloney (@RepSeanMaloney) May 4, 2017

Top House Republicans on Thursday predicted that they have the 216 votes necessary for passage.

Republicans can only afford 22 defections on the AHCA, as no Democrats are expected to vote for the measure.

Seventeen House Republicans currently oppose the legislation, according to The Hill’s whip list.

Passage of the AHCA would hand Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) a major legislative victory, though the bill faces a difficult path in the Senate.

GOP leaders yanked the original version of the AHCA off the House floor six weeks ago when it became clear it lacked the support for passage.

The moment was a stinging defeat for Ryan and President Trump, who lobbied extensively for the measure.