Arrington disappointed in some colleagues for failure to back health care replacement

March 25--Few members of the U.S. House were as supportive of what now seems to be the failed health care replacement as U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington.

After delaying the vote scheduled a day earlier, Republican leaders on Friday withdrew the health care overhaul bill for lack of support. As a member of the House Budget Committee, Arrington, a freshman Lubbock Republican, was one of the few members in Congress to cast a vote for the American Health Care Act while it was in committee. His vote in favor of the bill last week proved significant, as it passed 19 to 17 and was one vote away from being tied up in committee.

Before catching a flight back to Lubbock on Friday evening, Arrington's office issued a statement in which he reflected on his party's control of Congress and said he was disappointed they couldn't pass legislation many campaigned on.

"For seven years now, Republicans have promised the American people that, if given control of the presidency, the House and Senate, we would repeal and replace Obamacare. Today, with the majority of Republicans and the support of President Trump, I was prepared to fulfill that promise. I am disappointed that some of my colleagues were not able to reach consensus and reverse the destructive course of government-controlled health care that has wreaked havoc on our middle-class families and small businesses in West Texas.

"I have always believed that there is no such thing as perfect legislation as long as you're dealing with imperfect people and I've said all along this bill has room for improvement. I worked hard to get many of those improvements -- like work requirements -- included in the final bill. If we're going to take advantage of our unified Republican leadership, deliver on our promises to the American people, and move our country in a conservative direction, we must learn how to govern and not let perfect be the enemy of good."

Much like the Democrats on the national scene, the local Democratic Party wasted no time in calling out the Republican leadership.

Stuart Williams, chairman of the Lubbock County Democratic Party, sent out a statement shortly after the announcement that the bill was being scrapped: "Barely two months into their chance at running the country, Republicans demonstrated they can't handle the job. In a chamber where they hold a majority of 44 seats, Republicans could not bring their long-sought goal to completion. Donald Trump and congressional Republicans, including Arrington, made repealing the ACA the centerpiece of their campaigns for office and today they failed miserably."

Williams said Republicans, including the area's representative, aren't up to the job.

Arrington said as his party moves forward he will continue fighting to secure the border, strengthen the economy, improve the farm bill and promote West Texas values.

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