President Donald Trump's last-ditch efforts to convince conservative Republican lawmakers to support the proposed healthcare bill is sparking a "rebellion" among GOP moderates, Politico is reporting.
"After careful deliberation, I cannot support the bill and will oppose it," said Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa., leader of the House's moderate Tuesday Group.
"I believe this bill, in its current form, will lead to the loss of coverage and make insurance unaffordable for too many Americans, particularly for low-to-moderate income and older individuals."
His comments came after moderate Republicans met with House leaders for about two hours Wednesday night. Politico called it a "growing rebellion of moderate (House) members." And the website noted it follows attempts to placate the conservative Freedom Caucus members, who have been threatening to vote against the bill.
"It has always been the case — pull the bill one way, risk losing members on the other end," one lawmaker told CNN.
The news network said convincing conservatives to support the bill is critical because moderates are jumping ship.
Even before Dent's announced opposition, a handful of relatively moderate Republicans hailing from New York, Iowa and New Jersey had said they were opposed to the bill, according to CNN.
And Politico said moderate GOP lawmakers are furious over the attempts to woo the Freedom Caucus.
"Obviously, the Freedom Caucus has presented what it will take for them to get some yeses and I think there are now members who will have to now evaluate things a little bit further," said Rep. Ryan Costello, R-Pa.
Another lawmaker added: "Everybody's frustrated."