Politics

Democratic Senate candidate comes out against Obamacare subsidies for Congress

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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A high-profile Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate says she is against special Obamacare subsidies for lawmakers in Congress — a rare position for someone in her party.

In a new ad released Tuesday, Georgia Senate candidate Michelle Nunn says: “No one in Congress should get a subsidy to pay for their own health care.”

Her position is notable because the issue of Obamacare subsidies is usually argued by conservative critics of the health-care law. It also shows Nunn’s attempt to move away from the liberal wing of the national Democratic Party.

The Georgia race to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss is seen as one of the Democrats’ best shots to pick up a seat in 2014. There’s a competitive Republican primary going on now to take on Nunn.

Despite Nunn’s support for the conservative position on Obamacare subsidies, aides for the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee circulated the ad on Tuesday.

The issue of Obamacare subsidies for lawmakers is the result of the Office of Personnel Management announcing in August that it plans to provide a subsidy of about 75 percent of the cost of health insurance for members and staff.

The new law mandates that members and staff must enter into exchanges or be covered by insurance “created” by law.

A number of conservatives have argued against it, saying it amounts to a special Obamacare exemption for lawmakers.

Here is a transcript of the ad:

“What’s going on in Washington has to stop. Politicians fighting and bickering and too often forgetting about the people they’re supposed to represent. That’s why I’m for banning members of Congress from ever becoming lobbyists. I don’t think congressmen should get paid unless they pass a budget. And no one in Congress should get a subsidy to pay for their own health care. I’m Michelle Nunn. I’m running for Senate and I approve this message. Because it’s time Washington worked for us for a change.”

Here is the ad:

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