House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) is fighting against a Republican-controlled Congress and White House to save the Affordable Care Act–and by extension her legacy.
Democrats have been fighting to protect former President Barack Obama's landmark health care law after House Republicans introduced on Monday night their Obamacare replacement plan, the American Health Care Act. But Pelosi has much more at stake in the battle over Obamacare's survival, Politico reported.
Pelosi, Obama, and former Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) worked to pass Obamacare in 2010, and now many recognize it as part of their legacy.
"Clearly, Obamacare is part of Nancy's legacy," Rep. Gerry Connolly (D., Va.) told Politico. "Nancy is a very skilled tactician and strategist, and Democrats need both right now."
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D., Md.) echoed these sentiments, adding that Pelosi was responsible for getting Obamacare through Congress.
"This is a very big deal. She shepherded it through, it would not have gotten through without her," he said.
Pelosi herself does not deny the importance of the health care law to her legacy.
"The Affordable Care Act is important for all of our legacies, including President Obama's," she told Politico.
Pelosi has reportedly told those close to her that she has remained in Congress to defend Obamacare from Republican attacks. The California Democrat has said "to members many times that her motivation to remain in Congress is to see that the ACA is protected," a source told Politico.
The current House Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act has come under fire from conservative groups, including the Club for Growth, and some conservative members of Congress.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) said on Thursday that the bill will not pass through the Senate unless there are major changes enforced on it.
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) defended the American Health Care Act the same day as the best way to repeal Obamacare and ensure Americans get the care that they need.