Intra-Party Discord Continues To Threaten Republicans’ Success
The right wing of the party is demanding changes be made to what they are calling "Obamacare Lite."
Politico:
Conservatives Escalate Threats To Tank Obamacare Repeal
So much for President Donald Trump's charm offensive with conservatives. Conservative Hill leaders warned on Sunday that they won’t support the House GOP Obamacare alternative as it’s written, saying they’ll let the bill fail if they don’t get concessions. (Bade, 3/12)
The Associated Press:
Conservatives Want Health Bill Changes, House Leaders Resist
Conservative Republicans demanded tougher changes Friday in insurance requirements and Medicaid than the House GOP health care bill proposes and warned they’d oppose the legislation if it isn’t reshaped. The White House signaled an openness to negotiate, but there was resistance from House leaders. (Fram, 3/10)
The Washington Post:
GOP Infighting Over Health Care, Other Issues Belies Victory
Less than 24 hours after Donald Trump had won the White House, House Speaker Paul Ryan triumphantly proclaimed the start of a new era of Republican leadership that would “hit the ground running.” Six weeks into Trump’s administration, Republicans are running — just in different directions. As congressional leaders move forward with efforts to undo former President Barack Obama’s health care law, conservative activists and GOP lawmakers are slamming the proposal as “Obamacare lite,” ‘’Obamacare 2.0” and “RINOcare” — RINO standing for Republicans In Name Only, a term of derision. (Lerer and Beaumont, 3/13)
The Washington Post:
Will Obamacare Repeal Break The Freedom Caucus? It Depends On Trump.
The internal Republican battle over replacing the Affordable Care Act has become the GOP’s first chance to break the House Freedom Caucus, the bloc of more than two dozen conservative lawmakers who have frustrated leadership for two years. And President Trump is likely to play a leading role. (Weigel, DeBonis and Snell, 3/11)
WBUR:
Virginia Republican Says It's 'Conceivable' That Obamacare Repeal Won't Happen
Virginia Republican Rep. Tom Garrett (@Rep_Tom_Garrett) joins Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson to discuss why he won't vote for the health care proposal that his party put out this week, unless some changes are made to the measure. Garrett says the issue is "too important to rush." (Hobson, 3/10)
Meanwhile, in the Senate —
Reuters:
Republican Senators Wobble On House Obamacare Plan
If the Republicans' plan to dismantle most of Obamacare is approved later this month by the U.S. House of Representatives, where it cleared initial hurdles last week, it would go next to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain. At least nine Republican senators have expressed concerns about the plan, which is moving forward in the House without a clear assessment of its impact on the federal budget or how it would impact the level of health insurance among Americans. (3/13)
Politico:
Another Key Republican Senator Knocks GOP Obamacare Plan
Sen. Dean Heller panned House Speaker Paul Ryan's bill to repeal and replace Obamacare during a closed meeting with constituents on Saturday, according to audio obtained by POLITICO. The remarks by Heller, the most vulnerable GOP senator on the ballot next year, are another sign of the difficult prospects the House bill faces in the other chamber. Already, more than a half-dozen senators have criticized the bill, and Republicans can afford to lose only two votes. (Everett, 3/12)
Politico:
Paul: GOP Lacks Votes To Begin 'Real' Negotiations On Health Care
Sen. Rand Paul said Sunday that Republicans lack sufficient votes to even begin “real” negotiations on House leaders’ Obamacare replacement plan. “We are still in the pre-negotiation period,” the Kentucky Republican told host John Dickerson on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” (McCaskill, 3/12)
Arizona Republic:
Arizona Republicans In Congress Find 'Obamacare' Repeal Tough To Swallow
Arizona's congressional delegation highlights how the situation has lawmakers off balance as President Donald Trump's first high-stakes legislative battle takes shape. Not only must they consider that opposing the plan would put them at odds with the president — and his Twitter account — but also with significant interest groups and donors who fund their campaigns, as well as their leaders in Congress, who can yield significant influence over their career path on Capitol Hill. (Hansen and Nowicki, 3/12)
The Associated Press:
For Kentucky Voters, A Familiar Fight: Trump Vs. Paul
Duard Rutledge voted for Donald Trump and Rand Paul for the same reason: They’re not afraid of a fight. That’s why the 66-year-old retired Toyota worker wasn’t worried to see Kentucky’s junior senator getting in the way of the Republican plan to replace Obama’s health care law. “When you get two thoroughbreds, they are high strung,” he said. “But if you get them headed the right way they can both win the race.” (Beam, 3/10)
