4 GOP holdouts imperil passage
Four conservative GOP senators announced Thursday they would oppose the current version of the Senate bill to repeal and replace ObamaCare — but were open to negotiation.
A similar situation occurred in the House earlier this year, when conservative Freedom Caucus members balked at initial versions of the House bill because it did not go far enough to completely repeal ObamaCare. After negotiations, though, it squeaked through in a 217-to-213 vote.
Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Ted Cruz of Texas, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Mike Lee of Utah issued a defiant statement just hours after the Senate bill was released.
“Currently, for a variety of reasons, we are not ready to vote for this bill, but we are open to negotiation and obtaining more information before it is brought to the floor,” the senators said in a statement.
“There are provisions in this draft that represent an improvement to our current health care system, but it does not appear this draft, as written, will accomplish the most important promise that we made to Americans: to repeal ObamaCare and lower their health care costs.”
With all Democrats opposed, Republicans can afford to lose only two members of their 52member caucus to pass the bill.
Paul said the bill resembles the Affordable Care Act too closely and does not go far enough to repeal ex-President Barack Obama’s signature legislation.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), the majority whip, said Thursday members are still “working through” the plan but he remains confident they can get to 50 votes.
The final bill could be filed as late as Tuesday to include additional “tweaks and changes” based on conversations with the membership, he said.
“We won’t be finished until we vote on it,” Cornyn said.