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It's failing my constituents': Democratic congressman rips Obamacare, DNC
Speaking on a video clip, Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) says Obamacare is "failing my constituents." The footage of the Minnesota Democratic congressman was taken May 12. (Image source: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

It's failing my constituents': Democratic congressman rips Obamacare, DNC

Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) blasted the Democratic National Committee and, more specifically, Obamacare, in a new video uploaded to YouTube Monday.

According to the YouTube video description, the footage of the Minnesota Democratic congressman was taken May 12. It was unclear where exactly Walz was speaking when he made the comments, although the setting appears to be a constituent town hall.

"That’s why the message — and we were talking about the DNC — the DNC wanted the message to be that the ACA is doing fine and don’t talk about the warts, and I said I can’t do that because it’s failing my constituents in a lot of ways," Walz said. "So I hear you loud and clear."

The Republican National Committee brought attention to the 12-second video Monday in a "rapid response" email to journalists.

"Walz seems to be regretting his vote for Obamacare, admitting it’s 'failing his constituents in a lot of ways,'" the RNC said in the email.

The GOP rapid response team added: "He’s right. Late last year, Minnesota’s insurance regulator said the state’s individual market was on 'the brink of collapse' and raised Obamacare rates by 50% to 67% on Minnesotans."

Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman, who regulates the state's health insurance market, called the massive increase the result of an "emergency situation."

"We worked hard and avoided a collapse," Rothman said in September, according to Bloomberg News. "It’s a stopgap for 2017.”

Walz's acknowledgement came months after Minnesota Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton said in October that the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, was "no longer affordable."

“Ultimately ... the reality is the Affordable Care Act is no longer affordable for an increasing number of people," Dayton told the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.

Dayton will retire as Minnesota governor in January 2019. Walz will not seek re-election to Congress in 2018 to focus on running for Dayton's current job, the Daily Caller reported.

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