Story highlights The House Freedom Caucus endorsed the Obamacare repeal bill

The Freedom Caucus's moves this week are only deepening internal GOP tensions

(CNN) The conservative House Freedom Caucus officially endorsed an Obamacare replacement bill introduced by Republican Rep. Mark Sanford and Sen. Rand Paul on Wednesday, a move that puts considerable pressure on GOP party leaders to act quickly to overhaul the Affordable Care Act.

CNN first reported Tuesday night on the details of the Paul-Sanford bill based on a summary of the legislation: It would lift restrictions on insurers and give Americans more tax breaks for buying and using health care. Politically, the bill is intended to send a clear signal that there is no excuse for delaying a vote to roll back the health care law, as top Republicans have yet to unveil a blueprint for an alternative.

"The speculation on what a replacement will look like has created an unnecessary climate of anxiety in this discussion," House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows said at a press conference. "As members of Congress, we have a responsibility to reassure Americans -- particularly those with pre-existing conditions -- that they will be protected under a new system."

Sanford told CNN in an interview to preview the bill that it is simply not tenable for Republicans to repeal Obamacare without a replacement plan.

"I tell my boys all the time: It's not good to enough to say what you're against. Tell me what you're for," Sanford said. "It's not enough for us as Republicans to say we are against Obamacare. I think everybody's got that. The real cause for anxiety is people who (are) concerned about what comes next."

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