Mitch Perry
Florida Congressional Republicans Carlos Curbelo and Brian Mast are once again in the crosshairs of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, this time in new digital ads highlighting the proposed new GOP House health care plan that includes a provision that would exempt members of Congress and their staff from the plan.
Curbelo represents Florida’s 26th Congressional District, Mast represents Florida’s 18th District. The two seats are part of the 30 that the DCCC is aiming to win back next year in Congress.
The ads will run on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter in order to educate voters about the new GOP amendment introduced by New Jersey Republican Representative Tom MacArthur. That amendment, introduced on Tuesday, would allow states to waive out of the Affordable Care Act’s ban on preexisting conditions. This means that insurers could once again, under certain circumstances, charge sick people higher premiums than healthy people.
“Removing protections for people with pre-existing conditions will go down in infamy as one of the most heartless acts of this Republican Congress. As proof of the repeal bill’s devastating impact, Republican Members of Congress are exempting themselves from the punishment they are willing to inflict on their constituents,” said DCCC Spokesman Tyler Law. “This digital ad campaign will educate voters in targeted districts about this morally bankrupt Congressional Carveout.”
Curbelo supported the American Health Care Act in the House Ways and Means Committee, but later said he had concerns about the bill. Mast told CNN that he intended to support the AHCA.
“Despite attempts by Washington DC democrats to mislead Florida voters, Congressman Mast absolutely believes that Members of Congress should be treated the same way as everyone else when it comes to their healthcare,” Mast spokesman Brad Stewart said late Wednesday evening.
The National Republican Campaign Committee weighed in on Thursday as well.
“Unlike the Democrats, both Brian Mast and Carlos Curbelo have proven to be effective leaders more interested in representing their constituents than in standing by and watching a failed law crumble under its own weight,” said Maddie Anderson, a spokesperson for the NRCC. “The DCCC’s attempt to keep 100 percent of Obamacare as it stands is dangerous for all Americans.”
Carlos Curbelo’s office did not respond to our request for comment.
