Two more GOP Senators announce opposition to the Senate health care bill, effectively killing it. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell abandoned efforts to pass the bill, and will now call for a straight repeal of Obamacare — delayed by two years to give lawmakers time to seek a replacement.
President Donald Trump blamed Democrats in Congress — and a few Republicans — on Tuesday for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s decision to abandon efforts to pass a broad Republican-only replacement of Obamacare and opting instead to seek a straight vote on repeal.
“We were let down by all of the Democrats and a few Republicans,” Trump tweeted. “Most Republicans were loyal, terrific & worked really hard. We will return!” He also said he was willing to “let Obamacare fail” before moving forward on a replacement, which may be delayed by as long as two years under the move McConnell is considering.
In another tweet, Trump said the Senate — controlled by Republicans 52-48 — should eliminate the 60-vote threshold for advancing bills that don’t use a special fast-track procedure. “Even parts of full Repeal need 60. 8 Dems control Senate. Crazy!”
A repeal without a replacement is almost certain to get blocked in the Senate as well. The inability to deliver on seven years of GOP promises to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act would be the biggest failure yet for Trump and Republicans since they won control of Congress and the White House.
Photo: Shutterstock