TRUMP THREATENS HOUSE REPUBLICANS: If you vote against the healthcare bill, 'many of you will lose your seats in 2018'

pulse

March 21, 2017 3:06 PM

"I think we're going to get a winner vote. We're going to have a real winner," President Donald Trump told reporters after meeting with House Republicans.

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President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened political fallout if House Republicans did not pass the GOP leadership's bill to overhaul the US healthcare system.

During a meeting with Republican lawmakers in the House, Trump said that if the American Health Care Act did not pass, some of them would lose in the next election.

"I honestly think many of you will lose your seats in 2018 if you don't get this done," Trump told the representatives, according to Politico's John Bresnahan and CNN's Phil Mattingly.

Recent polls have shown that more Americans oppose the AHCA's proposed changes, however.

Politico's Rachael Bade reported that Trump asked House Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Mark Meadows, who has organized his group against the AHCA, to stand during the meeting and say he would vote for the bill since he was a big supporter of Trump during the campaign.

Later, Paul Ryan told reporters that Trump was "joking around" about them losing their seat and Trump "

Representatives at the meeting told reporters that Trump's speech was light on policy.

On his way out, Trump told assembled reporters that he thought the House would pass the bill when it votes on Thursday.

"I think we're going to get a winner vote. We're going to have a real winner," Trump said. "It was a great meeting. They're terrific people. They want a tremendous healthcare plan — that's what we have, and there are going to be adjustments made, but I think we'll get the vote turnout."

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