Minnesota Governor Tim Walz criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson for his stance on potential reforms to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) if former President Donald Trump is reelected. Walz seized upon Johnson's recent comments to bolster his argument that a Trump administration would likely cut social programs broadly.
Speaking at a rally in Asheville, North Carolina, Walz pointed to Johnson's statement made on Monday, where Johnson vowed to pursue significant changes to the ACA if Trump wins a second term. Walz also highlighted Ohio Senator JD Vance's assertion during a recent vice-presidential debate that Trump had 'saved' the ACA, a claim that Walz labeled as false.
Walz quoted Johnson as saying, 'There will be no Obamacare if Trump is elected,' and expressed confusion over this statement given previous remarks made by Senator Vance praising Trump's support for the ACA. Walz pointed out Trump's history of opposing the ACA, including signing executive orders and supporting legal challenges to dismantle the healthcare law.
Walz emphasized the importance of upholding the ACA and criticized the potential threat posed by a Trump administration to the healthcare program. He referenced the late Senator John McCain's pivotal vote that prevented the repeal of the ACA in the past.
