White House pushes uncertain bid to revive health care bill

Eager for a victory, the White House expressed confidence Thursday that a breakthrough on the mired Republican health care bill could emerge in the House next week. The chamber’s GOP leaders, burned by a March debacle on the measure, were dubious and signs were scant that an emerging plan was gaining enough votes to succeed.

A senior adviser to President Donald Trump said the White House was hopeful the House could hold a vote in the middle of next week, after Congress returns from spring recess. The White House optimism is driven largely by a deal brokered by leaders of the conservative Freedom Caucus and the moderate Tuesday Group aimed at giving states more flexibility to pull out of “Obamacare” provisions.

The White House official acknowledged that it was unclear exactly how many votes Republicans had. But the official said House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., has told the White House that a vote could come together quickly.