US lawmakers say votes aren’t there to overhaul Obama’s health care bill
House Republican leaders were short of the votes needed for their health care overhaul bill hours ahead of a vote demanded by President Donald Trump.
House Republican leaders were short of the votes needed for their health care overhaul bill hours ahead of a vote demanded by President Donald Trump.
US House Speaker Paul Ryan told President Trump on Friday that there are not enough votes to pass Republicans’ healthcare bill, CNN reported, citing a Republican source.
Ryan, at a meeting with Trump at the White House, is seeking guidance about possible next steps, according to CNN. Republican leaders had been planning a vote later on Friday on the measure, which seeks to dismantle Obamacare.
The showdown on the House of Representatives floor follows Trump’s decision to cut off negotiations to shore up support inside his own party, with moderates and the most conservative lawmakers balking. On Thursday night he had issued an ultimatum that lawmakers pass the legislation that has his backing or keep in place the Obamacare law that Republicans have sought to dismantle since it was enacted seven years ago.
Democrats and some veterans groups say a provision of the Republican health care bill could raise costs for millions of veterans who use tax credits to buy private insurance. An amendment to the bill would make veterans who are not enrolled in government care ineligible for health-care tax credits.
Republicans said the veterans’ provision could be added back into the bill later.