House GOP Health Plan Vote Nears Amidst Uncertainty
It will be a long day for President Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) as they push to gather the needed support to ensure passage of the American Health Care Act, a measure that is key to both of their futures.
Politico:
Obamacare Repeal In Jeopardy As Trump Offers 11th-Hour Concessions
The Republican push to replace Obamacare – backed forcefully by President Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan —is in jeopardy, as a last-ditch bid by the White House to win conservative support late Wednesday appeared to repel moderates. Moderate Republicans huddled with Speaker Paul Ryan and House leaders for nearly two hours Wednesday night but emerged without consensus. Immediately after exiting the meeting, Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.), leader of the House’s moderate Tuesday Group, panned the bill, known as the American Health Care Act. (Cheney, Bade and Bresnahan, 3/22)
NPR:
Fate Of Republican Health Care Bill Unclear Heading Into Final Hours
Republicans will be tested today on the strength of party unity in the Trump era and their party's ability to deliver on the promises they've made to the voters that sent them here. "This is our chance and this is our moment. It's a big moment," House Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters earlier this week. "And I think our members are beginning to appreciate just what kind of a 'rendezvous with destiny' we have right here." (Davis, 3/23)
Los Angeles Times:
Trump's Awkward Alliance With Ryan Faces Biggest Test. Will Healthcare Vote Bind Or Push Them Apart?
The two are not natural allies, something that was clear during the presidential campaign. As any number of Trump controversies swirled, particularly those that raised questions about the nominee’s temperament and judgment, Ryan (R-Wis.) did his best to keep his party’s standard bearer at arm’s length. But they began working closely after Trump’s victory in November to set a strategy for their legislative agenda. Healthcare was the first big item — the bill that would fulfill a central campaign promise for the GOP and open the way to other priorities, including a major tax cut. (Bierman and Memoli, 3/22)
Boston Globe:
Trump And Ryan Lack House Votes For `Do-Or-Die’ Healthcare Replacement
President Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan pushed conservative lawmakers to get behind the GOP health care plan Wednesday, but their efforts appeared to come up short, casting Thursday’s vote into doubt, along with the ability of Republicans to drive a legislative agenda despite their control of the White House and Congress. Less than 24 hours before the House of Representatives was scheduled to vote on the conservative plan, the group of right-wing lawmakers known as the House Freedom Caucus announced they had more than 25 members voting “no” — enough opposition to sink the bill’s prospects of passage. More moderate House Republicans also signaled their opposition Wednesday. (Herndon and McGrane, 3/22)
USA Today:
8 GOP House Members Whose Votes On Health Care Will Be Crucial
With Democrats united against the GOP's American Health Care Act, the key votes will come from Republicans — mainly from moderates who fear the legislation will harm senior citizens and low-income families and from hard-line conservatives who aren't convinced that it goes far enough in getting rid of government subsidies and regulations. ... Here's a look at eight GOP House members whose votes will be crucial in deciding the outcome. (Kelly and Collins, 3/23)
Politico:
House Rules To Resume Work On Obamacare Repeal Thursday Morning
The House Rules Committee recessed late Wednesday after more than 13 hours of deliberations without finalizing a rule for debating House Republicans’ Obamacare repeal bill, after key parts of the legislation remained in flux. The committee will reconvene Thursday, Chairman Pete Sessions said. The panel gave lawmakers the authority to consider any health care bill through Monday. (Pradhan, 3/23)
