The eleventh-hour nail-biter surrounding the fate of the American Health Care Act is a prime example of American democracy at work, Rep. Lee Zeldin, a member of Financial Services and Foreign Affairs Committee, tells Newsmax TV.
"It's a fascinating process. We're seeing democracy with a public vetting where people are debating what they want to see changed in the current federal law under the Affordable Care Act, Obamacare," Zeldin, a New York Republican, said Friday to Steve Malzberg on "America Talks Live."
See Steve Malzberg on Newsmax TV: Tune in beginning at 12 PM EDT to "America Talks Live" — on FiOS 115/615, YouTube Livestream, Newsmax TV App from any smartphone, NewsmaxTV.com, Roku, Amazon Fire — More Systems Here
"People are disagreeing in public, but sharing substantive solutions. I think this is beautiful when you see everyone participating and weighing in and figuring out how to have the best final product. That's nothing that should be rooted down and jeered at."
"It's so much better than the alternative of all these conversations just happening in back rooms and no one's updating the public. I think it's great how everything is out there in the open."
Zeldin said he is voting yes for the bill in its current form, but he's aware that as of a few hours before the House tally is taken, things don't look good for it being passed.
Still, Zeldin said, "anything is possible. That's healthy, there's nothing wrong with that."
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.