Vice President Pence demanded Congress “step up” and “do their job” by taking action to replace ObamaCare after the collapse of Republicans’ latest health care bill, stepping up pressure on his former congressional colleagues to deliver on a campaign promise.
The vice president has maintained ties on Capitol Hill, where he once served as a House member, but made clear Tuesday morning that the administration’s patience is wearing thin.
“Inaction is not an option. Congress needs to step up. Congress needs to do their job and Congress needs to do their job now,” he said, during an address to a National Retail Federation summit in Washington.
He spoke as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was moving forward on a last-resort bid to scrap ObamaCare, pushing to repeal the 2010 health law now and replace it later. Pence said Tuesday that he and President Trump “fully support” that plan. He said the Senate should either go that route, or return to the legislation already on the table.