If Republicans don't deliver on healthcare and tax reform, "we are going to disintegrate as a party," Sen. Lindsey Graham warned Monday afternoon.
"We will have nobody to blame but ourselves," the South Carolina Republican told Fox News' "Outnumbered Overtime" program.
Party members have promised to repeal and replace Obamacare and have failed, Graham commented, and while President Donald Trump has committed to trying again next year to replace Obamacare, Graham said there have been promises made.
"What do you tell Republicans we've got the House, the Senate, the White House?" said Graham. "All you need is 50 votes in the Senate. If we can't deliver on cutting taxes, what good are we to the country? If we can't repeal and replace Obamacare, why have us appear?"
Graham said he does believe Trump had a "great week" last week, but still, Republicans need to come together.
"Republicans in Congress have to get our act together or we are all going to lose," said Graham, although he was "very encouraged" when he saw Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, who had opposed the most recent healthcare reform push, standing by the president while he announced his executive order on the matter.
Now, the attention is shifting to tax cuts, which are "desperately" needed, said Graham.
"The average since World War II is about 3.2 percent of GDP growth," he continued. "I am hopeful we can pass the budget this week that will allow us to cut taxes later in the fall."
Graham golfed with Trump last week, and told Fox News Monday they spoke about healthcare reform, noting they'll be able to return the bill he co-wrote back for further consideration.
"It is a block grant that takes all the money out of Washington, takes the money away from Washington, D.C., bureaucrats and gives it to your governors, that I think they can do a better job of delivering healthcare," said Graham.
The measure was not brought to a vote this fall following a belief it would not get enough votes, but Graham said he does believe there is a good chance of it getting votes in the spring.
"I think we are going to have some Democrats come aboard for the tax cut," said Graham. "There are some Democrats in red states, this tax cut is good for the economy, good for working people."
The senator also said he's pleased that Trump is delivering on a campaign promise to get a better nuclear deal with Iran.
"The decertifying is the first step," said Graham. "If Iran continues to deny inspectors to come on military bases, we will re-oppose sanctions. If Iran continues to test fire missiles, we will re-impose sanctions. If they continue to be the largest state sponsor of terrorism we will re-impose sanctions."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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