DCCC preps attack on GOP members who vote against 'doc fix' and PAYGO

Democrats' House campaign arm is prepping attacks Thursday on any Republican lawmaker who votes against today's "doc fix" bill.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is readying to pounce on any GOP member who votes against the "doc fix" bill, which resets the rate at which Medicare reimburses physicians, as well as the statutory "pay as you go" (PAYGO) provision attached to the bill.

The prepared attacks serve as a potential shot-across-the-bow to any potentially vulnerable Republicans before today's vote, though House GOP leaders have said they anticipate a strong party showing against the measure.

"Times are tough and Seniors are already dealing with high prescription drug costs, the last thing they need is for House Republicans to increase their health care costs and anxiety by allowing Medicare to cut  payments to their doctor," DCCC national press secretary Ryan Rudominer said, tying the House GOP with Minority Whip Eric Cantor (D-Va.).

For their part, House Republicans scoff at the threat, arguing that the bill would raise costs for seniors by nearly $50 billion.

The DCCC spokesman also said that voting against PAYGO after talking up fiscal discipline represents hypocrisy.

“House Republicans who vote against restoring pay-as-you-go policy after so much tough talk about the need for fiscal discipline and after Congressional Republicans let it expire in the first place proves that House Republicans will say one thing at home and do something completely different in Washington," Rudominer asserted.

Republicans have long maintained that PAYGO, which requires new spending to be offset by cuts or new taxes, is a back door to tax hikes. They also know that this rule doesn't apply to the doc fix, arguing that it makes the inclusion (and DCCC attacks) hypocritical.