Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) better start projecting positive vibes when it comes to an Obamacare replacement bill, or voters may be left with the impression that they’re about to get stabbed in the back on a key issue.
Despite having an exorbitant amount of time to develop a repeal and replacement bill, McConnell opened a recent interview by saying he had no updates.
“There’s not a whole lot of news to be made on healthcare,” he said.
Why? Why hasn’t McConnell rallied his own party behind a carefully crafted legislation?
With Democrats bitterly clinging to the failed health care policy of former President Obama, and none in the Senate expected to put the American people before their ideology, Republicans will need to get 50 of 52 Senate votes from their members.
McConnell, rather than expressing optimism, whined that “I don’t know how we get to 50 [votes] at the moment.”
Sounds like he’s preparing for a letdown.
Via Reuters:
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday said he has yet to hit upon a formula for repealing Obamacare and replacing it with a new healthcare program, but he expressed some optimism on another top priority, overhauling the tax code.
…
Referring to behind-the-scenes work among Senate Republicans on a healthcare bill, McConnell said, “I don’t know how we get to 50 (votes) at the moment. But that’s the goal.”
Under a scenario of gathering the votes needed for passage in the 100-seat chamber, Republican Vice President Mike Pence would be called upon to cast any potential tie-breaking Senate vote.
McConnell opened the interview by saying, “There’s not a whole lot of news to be made on healthcare.” He declined to provide any timetable for producing even a draft bill to show to rank-and-file Republican senators and gauge their support.
What exactly is the problem here?
McConnell doesnt know how to get 50 votes on obamacare repeal. Umm just like you did on the repeal you sent to Obama. Do your job!!
— Wallace White (@dragnwagn) May 24, 2017
Former House Speaker John Boehner said that this would happen back in February, saying that much like the previous 6 years when the GOP refused to fight on Obamacare repeal, the party is still all talk and no action.
“Repeal-and-replace” is “not going to happen,” he warned during an interview with Politico.
If the Republicans are unable to deliver on health care reform, something they promised to address and correct throughout multiple election cycles, on multiple occasions, then the GOP can kiss their Congressional majorities goodbye. America’s conservative voters will not stand for this.
Do you think GOP members in the Senate will come through on health care reform? Share your thoughts below.
