McDermott on Trump pick Tom Price: ‘Can’t give fox keys to the hen house’

WASHINGTON – Retiring U.S Democratic Rep. Jim McDermott of Washington expressed concern Monday about President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Health and Human Services Secretary, Republican Rep. Tom Price of Georgia.

“He’s basically been known for being for doctors, and you can’t give the fox the keys to the hen house,” McDermott told Seattle TV station KING5.

He also touched on Trump’s campaign promise to repeal Obamacare, saying it will be far more difficult than critics think. Health care reform was a main reason he entered politics in the first place, he said.

“The people will stop them when they see what the plan they’re putting on the table actually does,” McDermott said.

After 28 years in Congress, McDermott shared some words of advice to his successor, Rep.-elect Pramila Jayapal.

“This is a place where persistence and patience are more important than brilliance and great thinking and a lot of other things,” he said. “Patience is a virtue in this business.”