Moments From GOP’s Failed Health Care Vote

He argued Republicans in Congress need to pass a bill targeting Obamacare as a matter of practicality and politics.

The downside of using reconciliation when a majority can only afford to lose three votes and starts off by losing two is that any of the remaining 49 Republicans control the fate of the legislation.

Sens. John McCain, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins joined with Democrats to oppose the measure, which was a major blow to the White House and the Republican congressional agenda. And it was one indeed, when he signalled “No” to the vote clerk, greeted by gasps and applause from the chamber.

In a series of tweets this morning, the president encouraged the Senate to change its rules to require just a 51-vote majority to pass future legislation. The vote was on a so-called “skinny repeal” bill that would have rolled back only parts of Obamacare but kept the bulk of the law intact.

The “skinny repeal” amendment – withdrawing only the most unpopular provisions mandating individuals and employers to buy health insurance and tax medical devices – was a last-ditch effort by the Republican leadership hobbled by defections. 200 Bills sit in Senate.

Speaking to a audience of law enforcement officers on Long Island, N.Y., President Trump said, “They should have approved health care last night, but you can’t have everything, boy oh boy”.

“If the president refuses to make the cost sharing reduction payments, every expert agrees that premiums will go up and health care will be more expensive for millions of Americans”, Schumer said Saturday in a written statement.

The Senate’s Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer of NY, cautioned such a step, saying it would make health care more expensive.

“Mark my words, I am committed to this fight”, Cruz told reporters Friday morning after the dramatic end to GOP efforts in the Senate to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

President Donald Trump directly referenced Murkowski in a Tweet following a health care vote earlier in the week, criticizing her for her votes on the matter.

“The Hill reported that Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) said, “(McCain) had made up his mind and I’m not sure there was much that could have been done about it”.

Some Republicans have said they are trying to find a way forward on healthcare. Governors from across the aisle have pledged to work together.

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker said he was pleased with the most recent vote and supports a bipartisan approach to addressing the issue of health care in this country.