The Republican Party "should be politically horsewhipped" if it does not push ahead with healthcare legislation, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Monday.
In an interview on Fox News, the South Carolina Republican said he supported President Donald Trump's insistence a repeal and replacement of Obamacare should not be abandoned.
"I am like 1,000 percent with Donald Trump on this," Graham said. "We should be politically horsewhipped if we don't try again."
A video of his remarks was posted by The Hill.
Graham supports an amendment he sponsored with Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., that would direct much of the federal funding for Obamacare into block grants for states.
"The government closest to the people is the best government," Graham said. "The healthcare closest to the people is the best healthcare."
"It will make healthcare more accessible to you. If you don't like what's going on, you complain to your governor or your statehouse guy rather than a bureaucrat in Washington," he added.
"I'm so excited about this. Mr. President, don't let us quit. Make us keep trying. I think we can pass this bill."