House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called on her fellow Democratic lawmakers to keep “all hands on deck” against the Graham-Cassidy healthcare bill as Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., announced his opposition to the bill Friday afternoon.
Pelosi made the plea in a “Dear Democratic Colleague” note to her caucus Friday soon after McCain’s announcement, calling his opposition “good news” before encouraging them to use various talking points against the legislation.
“Good news: 1:50 PM Eastern time, Senator John McCain thumbs down on Graham-Cassidy!” Pelosi said.
“This weekend, we will continue to highlight the devastating costs Republicans are trying to inflict on hard-working Americans,” she said. “At every opportunity, I encourage you to take the discussion back to health care and our key messaging points against the Republican bill.”
“Together, we will finally put the stake in the heart of this monstrous bill,” she added before thanking members and advocacy groups for their “persistence.”
As of Friday afternoon, McCain and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., were the two Republicans opposed to the legislation. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is also likely to oppose the bill and become the third Republican to oppose the healthcare overhaul and the crucial 51st vote to stop the bill.
