The powerful Koch brothers have pledged to help House members stand up to Donald Trump — and say no — on the Republican health care bill. Trump has threatened House Republicans with a promise to mobilize his loyal base against no-voters in their re-election campaigns. The Koch brothers, who essentially bankrolled the creation of the Tea Party, have given those reluctant Republicans breathing room — promising to back them with big money in 2018 if they say no to Trump and the bill.
Donald Trump remains immensely popular with his base — and it’s a constituency that knows how to get out the vote. Trump’s biggest weapon is this loyal constituency, and using them to threaten House members into voting for the current GOP health care bill is an effective strategy. Trump’s calculation is pretty simple to the reluctant congress members: if you don’t vote yes, I’ll make sure you fail in your next re-election bid. The Koch’s pledge — through their group Americans for Prosperity — wants to keep Republicans in office so they can dismantle even more of Obamacare than the current bill does.
