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.
Just repeal obamacare – then STOP.
Abolish or reform the filibuster/ cloture rules, you d@mned old fool. How did you get to 50 votes on Gorsuch? That way we can make the bill popular by including substantive provisions to make it popular and feasible, instead of relying on the reconciliation rules.
Or repeal it under the reconciliation rules with a forward effective date but without passing a replacement bill. Use the deadline as a way to force the Senators’ hands.
Or don’t appropriate anything for cost sharing, for reinsurance, for risk corridors and risk adjustments, etc. And bar use of the Judgment fund by law. Starve the insurance companies to the table.
Or break the backs of the holdouts. Remove them from plumb committee assignments. Cut the pork to their states. When they speak out, slap them down publicly. Don’t wait for a private chat. We know who the holdouts are: Flake, McCain, Graham, Collins and maybe Sasse. Cut off party funds to their re-election efforts. Ask them for their legislative heart’s desire and push it through. Tear McCain a new one on the floor of the Senate. Recruit a couple dems: Heitkamp, Manchin. Whip your caucus, d@mm!t.
Or we could replace YOU with someone who can get to 50 votes.
Of course the establishment GOP is stabbing us in the back. They have always been against President Trump and have continued to work against him behind his back. These traitors had better get their act together and do the job they were sent to do or the liberals will be back in power and it will be the end of America and our Republic.
This individual with no backbone is the reason he never would have made in private practice. He like Ryan are trying to undermine President Trump and keep their Obamacare they love. President Trump needs to show McConnell his wife is no longer the Transportation Secretary and start working to replace McConnell in the Senate. He is no leader. What a sorry piece of sh-t that represents Ky and the US Senate.
Time for major clean up in the Republican party. Voters should oust McConnell. Never should have voted him back in to begin with. Others need to go too. Need a major ousting in the primary process.
I know I will not vote for anyone who drags their feet about obamacare. I’m retired military and on Medicare therefore I don’t use obamacare. I have family and friends that have had their premiums go up 100%, one to 600.00 increase. My belief is that the government needs to get out of health care. Anytime the government gets involved, they screw it up royally. They could pass a law to put a cap on healthcare lawsuits and if found frivolous lawsuits, the people and lawyer will be liable.
McConnell — Get with the Program or GO HOME!!!
time to rid this country of the so called Republicans that DONT want to do their jobs– they think we the people are stupid but now is the time to rid us of the garbage– either do you job or get the hell out–McConnell-Ryan-McCain-Graham have outlived their usefulness and they really arent good republicans– back stabbing a-holes are the best term for them–
If McConnell can’t do the job, then get someone WHO CAN! SUPPORT TRUMP OR GET OUT. Plain and simple.
Let it collapse.
It’s the American voter that keeps voting them in!!!!!!!!! Term limits is the only answer!!!!! Drain the swamp President Trump!
You mean the American voter that keeps voting them in!!!!!!!!! Term limits is the only answer!!!!!
Who cares what Beetlejuice think?
They should repeal Obama care and allow private enterprise to flourish.
I think either way Obamacare is doomed. Whether it is repealed by this administration, or by 2018 because of it’s death spiral.
I say, “Stop the fight with DEMON-O-RATS and RINO’S. Let obozo care implode, which it is quickly doing. Then it will be squarely on the heads of those that fought against “repeal and replace.”