GOP senators feeling pressure to get health care reform done
Senate Republicans set to unveil health care bill; chief congressional correspondent Mike Emanuel reports from Capitol Hill
Senate GOP leaders have set a timeline to vote next week on legislation to repeal large chunks of the Affordable Care Act, even though they don’t yet appear to have secured enough support to pass it.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R., Ky., is intent on keeping pressure on Senate Republicans to move quickly on the bill rolling back and replacing much of the 2010 health law, lawmakers and GOP aides said. The push for a quick vote before the weeklong July 4 recess could backfire, however, as some conservative and centrist Republicans have expressed concern about the emerging shape of the legislation.
“I expect us to vote on it next week,” Sen. Richard Burr, R., N.C., said Monday evening of the health bill. “I believe the majority leader when he says he’s going to take it up.”
McConnell could pull back if he calculates that a little extra time could get him the votes needed to cross the finish line. He can lose no more than two GOP votes for a bill to pass. All Democrats are expected to oppose it.
Still, McConnell has reasons to try for a quick health-care vote. The pressure could force lawmakers to reach a consensus on sticking points that have divided them. And GOP leaders in both chambers want to move on to other legislative items.
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