Trump, GOP leaders lack votes to pass Obamacare repeal

[EricMaundry]

Source: Politico

Despite a frantic lobbying effort, President Donald Trump and House GOP leaders are still short of the votes they need to pass their Obamacare replacement bill, just two days before the legislation is set to be taken up on the floor.

Conservative hard-liners from the House Freedom Caucus are threatening to derail the legislation, saying revisions announced on Monday night don’t go far enough. A handful of moderate Republicans are also balking at the Trump-backed measure. They’re worried about damaging themselves politically by voting for a proposal that will never make it through the Senate.

The upshot is that Trump, House Speaker Paul Ryan and other GOP leaders are dealing with a legislative balloon — whenever they push on one side, it pops out somewhere else. Every concession or revision they make has the potential to cause more problems for the other end of the conference.

White House officials and Republican leaders remain optimistic that they will get the 215 votes they need, but it will be very tight.


Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/obamacare-repeal-mark-meadows-freedom-caucus-236314

[Dopers_Greed]

1. Win-win for America

This awful bill isn't passed AND it makes the Repugs look like buffoons.

[drray23]

2. Hopefully Ryan goes for it and it is shut down.

This would completely destroy whats left of his credibility while also making Trump go ballistic.

[J_William_Ryan]

3. "Theyre worried about damaging themselves politically..."

Pity they're not worried about the damage it will cause millions of Americans when they lose access to affordable healthcare.

[Sunlei]

4. The 120? other times the house voted to "get rid of ACA" how did those votes go?

Republicans have had years of practice runs, they know exactly how many votes they need and how many can 'sit out' because of re-election fears.

[NastyRiffraff]

5. They're caught

between party loyalty and the Dumpster vs their enraged constituencies. They're screwed whatever they do.

Couldn't happen to nicer people!

[Stuart G]

8. Exceptionally well said...my hats off to you..

[3catwoman3]

6. Ain't that a shame!

[Honeycombe8]

7. It's a lot harder to pass a bill that does something than simply obstruct, isn't it?

America is seeing that the big talkers aren't so big at DOING something. They're at their best grandstanding and obstructing like schoolyard bullies.

[JudyM]

9. 'zactly.

[AKing]

10. Health Care Whack-A-Mole....Pass the popcorn please