Vice President Mike Pence said Saturday that congressional Democrats won’t be able to savor very long the survival of Obamacare, after Trump administration and House Republican leaders lost a bid to repeal and replace the law.
“Nancy Pelosi, the leader of the Democrats, actually said yesterday was a victory for the American people,” Mr. Pence told an audience in Charleston, West Virginia. “That victory won’t last very long. We will end the Obamacare nightmare and give the American people the health care they deserve.”
President Trump and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan canceled a House vote Friday on legislation to replace and repeal Obamacare after they couldn’t muster enough support from conservative lawmakers and some moderate Republicans. Democrats were united against the measure.
Mr. Trump spent much of Saturday at his Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. He said after the high-profile loss that Obamacare will soon fail on its own due to rising costs and dwindling options for consumers.
The vice president said he was inspired by Mr. Trump’s “determination to keep his promise to the American people” on health care.
“You saw his resolve,” Mr. Pence said.
He said the administration will turn next to cutting taxes, including lowering the corporate tax rate to 15 percent from the current 35 percent.
“We want to cut taxes for every American,” he said.
Referring to Senate Democrats’ decision to try to filibuster the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch, Mr. Pence also said Saturday that the nominee will be confirmed “one way or another.” He said the administration is counting on the support of West Virginia’s senators, Democrat Joe Manchin III and Republican Shelley Moore Capito.
“If we can get the help of Joe Manchin and with the help of Shelley Moore Capito, Judge Neil Gorsuch will soon be Justice Neil Gorsuch,” Mr. Pence said.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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