Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley told constituents at a Monday town hall that not he, nor the Republicans as a whole, would repeal the Affordable Care Act, but his office downplayed the exchange Thursday.
When asked about the GOP’s plans regarding Obamacare, if the party gains the majority in the Senate, the senator said, “It’s not repealing the Affordable Care Act, if that’s your question.”
When she reiterated her question, he responded, “Yes, I’m saying that I would not — we’re not going to repeal the Affordable Care Act,” in the exchange posted to Twitter.
Video thread of interesting moments from Chuck Grassley’s town halls in Eastern Iowa this week.
First, a newsy one from Waukon on Monday of Grassley saying he’ll no longer push to repeal the ACA pic.twitter.com/gHVgH189lk
— Iowa Starting Line (@IAStartingLine) April 13, 2022
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Grassley’s office told the Washington Examiner, “Sen. Grassley was asked during a county meeting with Iowa constituents whether Republicans would seek to repeal the ACA if they regain control of the Senate. While noting that he can’t speak for all of his colleagues, he predicted that the law wouldn’t be repealed in its entirety,” painting the remark as a prediction more than anything else.
“In previous county meetings, Grassley has also noted that the focus should be on how to improve the existing healthcare system, including reducing the cost of prescription drugs — a priority that he’s led in a bipartisan fashion.”
According to 2020 polling from Gallup, the Affordable Care Act was most recently supported by 55% of respondents, topping previous levels. The data show that backing for Obamacare hit its bottom in 2014 with only 37% of support but has climbed gradually over the years.
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Previous attempts from Republicans to repeal the policy have failed. Late former Sen. John McCain famously voted against repealing the act and is largely credited for saving the policy.
