House Speaker Paul Ryan warned in an interview aired Sunday that Republicans will face dire consequences if they fail to pass the Obamacare replacement plan he has introduced.
Asked on CBS’ “Face the Nation” if his party would face a “bloodbath” in the 2018 midterms if the legislation fails, Ryan responded: “I do believe that if we don’t keep our word to the people who sent us here, yeah.”
“If you don’t do that, you’re breaking your word,” Ryan added of campaign promises on healthcare.
Ryan also took on conservative critics of his legislation.
With a “big tent” party, Ryan said, “everybody doesn’t get what they want. But we’re getting much better policy here.”
Regarding specific objections from lawmakers like Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., that Congress is moving too fast on the replacement plan, Ryan disagreed.
The bill, he noted is going through four committees and regular congressional order.
“Saying we are going to do this for seven years, and now come to the point where we’re actually on the cusp of keeping our word, I hardly think that that is rushing things,” Ryan remarked.
