WASHINGTON — Inside a closed-door meeting of House Republicans on Tuesday, Rep. Jen Kiggans, a swing district member who is a linchpin of the party’s narrow majority, stood up and made a plea.

“Doing nothing on health care is not the right answer,” the Virginia Republican later told NBC News, summing up her message to colleagues. “I would really appreciate if we could have a timeline because we know that the end of the calendar year is coming, and I don’t want to see people’s premiums go up. I don’t want to see people lose their health insurance.”

The remarks drew an unspectacular reception.

“Average,” Kiggans replied when asked how it was received. “We line up, we have our one minute to state our case. Usual reaction.”

Republicans seek an alternative to Obamacare

03:33

Republicans a

See Full Page