Trump struggles to win Obamacare repeal

US President Donald Trump was set to make a final push on Thursday to secure the votes to begin dismantling Obamacare in the House of Representatives, with signs that enough Republicans might defect to jeopardize one of his top legislative priorities.

Trump has mounted an intensive campaign to garner support for the initiative and the effort is seen by financial markets as a crucial test of his ability to move his legislative agenda, including planned tax cuts, through Congress.

Republican leaders hoped to vote on Thursday but there were signs the deadline could be pushed back. Trump scheduled an 11: 30 am meeting with members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus at the White House.

“We’re still open for negotiations,” Representative Ted Yoho, a member of the conservative group, told CNN. “There is still time.”

Democratic Representative Steny Hoyer said the majority Republicans clearly did not have enough votes to pass the bill, which has been championed by House Speaker Paul Ryan.

Trump and Ryan need strong support from their side of the aisle and can only afford to lose 21 Republican votes.

As part of his effort, Trump urged Americans in a tweet early on Thursday to press their representatives to vote for the bill, known formally as the American Health Care Act.