One vote short

Republicans’ last attempt in July to overturn former President Barack Obama’s signature health care law fell one vote short in the Senate in a defeat for President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell.

Trump has chastised Republican leaders for failing to pass a repeal bill after seven years of vowing to do so.

How quickly the Senate could take up health care again is unclear. The Senate is taking up the annual defense bill this week, and Mcconnell wants to begin debating tax reform this month.

On health care, Mcconnell has told members of his Republican caucus not to come forward with a bill unless they have the 50 votes needed to pass it under special rules.

GOP leadership was embarrassed last month when several attempts to repeal and replace Obamacare died for lack of support.

Contact Gary Martin at 202-6627390 or gmartin@reviewjournal. com. Follow @garymartindc on Twitter.