Texas Republican congressman singles out GOP female senators for blocking Obamacare repeal
Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, placed blame on “some female senators from the Northeast” on Monday for blocking a repeal of Obamacare, according to the Associated Press.
The congressman said it is “absolutely repugnant” that the Senate — which is controlled by Republicans — hasn’t been able to pass legislation that would repeal Obamacare during a local radio interview with 1440 Keys, the AP reported.
“If it was a guy from south Texas, I might ask him to step outside and settle this Aaron Burr-style,” Farenthold said.
Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., have been some of the most vocal critics of the Republican leadership’s plans to repeal Obamacare.
Most recently the trio said they would not vote to bring repeal legislation to the Senate floor if Senate GOP leaders did not have a replacement ready.
Because no Democrats are expected to vote for the legislation, Republicans can only lose two votes if they want to pass it.
Collins — who is the one GOP senator from the Northeast against the bill — laughed when reporters asked her how she'd respond to Farenthold.
"In the 20 years that I've been in the Senate I've heard a lot of suggestions for how to resolve disagreements, but this is the first time that anyone has suggested a duel," Collins said. "As far as I know, dueling is illegal in every state, so he'll be disappointed I guess."
Farenthold called his comments "tongue in cheek" in a statement released by his office on Monday evening.
"Like the President, I am sick and tired of the left-wing biased media trying to make something out of nothing. This was clearly tongue in cheek. That being said, I'm extremely frustrated with Senate Republicans who are breaking their promise to the American people to repeal and replace Obamacare," he said.
Read more:
Despite many uncertainties, McConnell plans to move forward with Obamacare repeal vote
Thousands of nuns urge senators to vote against Obamacare repeal
Here's how Sen. John McCain's absence will jolt Washington