A powerful conservative advocacy group is moving to punish Republicans who broke ranks on a high-profile health care vote this week to side with Democrats – a move the organization described as a “gut punch” to its grassroots operation.
According to a new report in Politico, Americans for Prosperity is pulling support from GOP lawmakers who voted to revive expired Obamacare insurance subsidies, escalating tensions inside the Republican Party already struggling to maintain unity ahead of the midterm elections.
The group has zeroed in on the 17 House Republicans who joined Democratic lawmakers on Thursday to pass legislation extending the subsidies for three years, Politico reported. While the bill is expected to stall in the Senate, bipartisan talks in the upper chamber could still produce a framework to keep the subsidies alive.
“This was a gut punch to every grassroots activist who gave up their nights and weekends to support each of these lawmakers,” an AFP spokesperson told Politico. “Trust is going to need to be rebuilt before AFP considers committing any more resources on their behalf.”
The organization said it is pausing current and future grassroots activity in those 17 districts, including advertising and voter outreach that has promoted Republicans’ July domestic policy package known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." President Donald Trump has criticized insurers for profiting from the subsidies and floated the idea of sending direct payments to consumers – an idea AFP backs.
“President Trump has been clear: doubling down on Obamacare is the wrong direction,” AFP said Thursday after the House vote. “He’s right — and Republicans should listen.”