Just weeks into the Trump administration's second term, freshman Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) is already showing his true colors by partnering with notorious RINO Susan Collins (R-ME) to extend enhanced Obamacare subsidies that were set to expire at the end of 2025.
The Ohio Senator, who rode Trump's coattails to victory, now wants to bring "almost three dozen Republicans" along for his big government healthcare deal with Democrats. Moreno claims he has "no interest in a bill that divides our conference," but what's really dividing conservatives is his willingness to prop up Barack Obama's failed healthcare boondoggle.
According to reports emerging from Capitol Hill meetings, the Moreno-Collins plan would extend enhanced Obamacare subsidies for approximately two years with some income limits and benefit reforms. As one social media observer noted, they "realistically need to get done in the next month or so" - conveniently rushing through before grassroots conservatives can mount serious opposition.
"I think we've made a tremendous amount of progress. We just got to..." Moreno told reporters after leaving recent negotiations, according to social media reports from the scene.
Collins, meanwhile, played coy with reporters, simply saying they "continue to talk" when pressed on the status of their backroom dealing with Democrats.
What happened to repealing and replacing Obamacare?
This is exactly the kind of establishment Republican betrayal that Trump voters rejected in 2024. While President Trump is working to drain the swamp and cut government waste through Elon Musk's DOGE initiative, Moreno is scheming to keep one of the most wasteful government programs alive.
Patriots didn't send Republicans to Washington to make deals with Democrats on failed socialist healthcare policies. They sent them to dismantle the administrative state and return power to the people.
Moreno better remember which voters put him in office - and it wasn't the establishment Republicans who think bipartisanship means rolling over for Democrat priorities. Will Ohio conservatives hold their freshman Senator accountable for this betrayal?