Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is widening his rift with House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., over an Obamacare replacement bill – accusing the Wisconsin lawmaker of trying to trick President Donald Trump into supporting the measure.
"I don't think it makes any sense, and I think he's trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the president," Paul told Breitbart News.
"I think when I've spoken with President Trump, I think he agrees with me that we should repeal and replace, but I don't think he's stuck on that they have to be in the same bill necessarily," the Kentucky Republican told the conservative news outlet.
"Paul Ryan, I think, is selling it to the White House and telling the White House, 'Oh, it’s a piece of cake, it's a done deal.'"
Paul is among the conservatives who have blasted Ryan's healthcare plan, and tensions appear to be escalating between them; Paul joined several House Democrats in a mocking "search" for the healthcare bill, accusing congressional leaders of writing it up in secret.
Ryan fired back the move was a "publicity stunt," and rejected claims the bill was kept under wraps.
"I like Rand, but I think he's looking for a publicity stunt here," Ryan said. "The things he described are just not accurate."
But Paul insisted to Breitbart the House leadership's plan does not go far enough.
"Obamacare Lite, Paul Ryan's plan, just changes it so you have to pay a penalty to the insurance companies," he told Breitbart. "I consider that to still be a mandate that isn't consistent with those of us who want less government involvement."