'I don't bow': GOP senator follows shock news with blistering Trump attack

A senior Republican took to the Senate floor and delivered a searing attack on his party just hours after shocking colleagues by announcing he was quitting.

Senator Thom Tillis (NC) delivered a scathing critique of the GOP's domestic policy bill, warning that proposed Medicaid changes would devastate North Carolina's healthcare landscape — and was a betrayal of President Donald Trump's core promises.

Hours after his surprise announcement of his retirement, Tillis took to the floor Sunday with a passionate plea. "It is inescapable this bill will betray the promise Donald Trump made," he declared. "I'm telling the president that you have been misinformed. You supporting the Senate mark will hurt people who are eligible and qualified for Medicaid."

Tillis' research revealed a potential catastrophic impact: 663,000 North Carolina residents could lose their healthcare coverage. After extensive consultations with state legislative leaders, the Democratic governor, and hospital groups, he uncovered what he believes is a $26 billion cut in federal support, he said.

The senator pulled no punches, criticizing Trump's advisers as ivory tower intellectuals who "have never governed" and are "driving him into a box canyon." He demanded the Senate abandon its "artificial" July 4 deadline for passing the bill and thoroughly revise it.

"I respect President Trump, I support the majority of his agenda, but I don't bow to anybody when the people of North Carolina are at risk," Tillis told reporters.

Tillis drew a sharp parallel to the Affordable Care Act's infamous promise, saying, "The effect of this bill is to break a promise. And you know, the last time I saw a promise broken around health care is when somebody said, 'If you like your health care, you can keep it.'"

Despite the potential political backlash, Tillis remained resolute. He had already informed Trump of his retirement and his concerns, telling the president he "probably needed to start looking for a replacement".

On Saturday, Trump had threatened to challenge Tillis in a primary after he'd suggested he did not support the megabill.

With the Senate preparing for 20 hours of debate and a marathon voting session, Tillis's speech represents a significant challenge to the administration's legislative agenda.