The Republican Party's effort to repeal Obamacare fell into turmoil on Thursday evening, when four key GOP senators demanded guarantees that House will enter negotiations or they'll scuttle the bill.
The Republican Party's effort to repeal Obamacare fell into turmoil on Thursday evening, when four key GOP senators demanded guarantees that House will enter negotiations or they'll scuttle the bill.
The Senate is expected to continue debating and amending the American Health Care Act (AHCA), legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare. On Wednesday, a vote to simply repeal Obamacare failed to attract enough votes, with seven Republican senators voting against the measure.
"I'm not going to vote for a bill that is terrible policy and politics just to get something done," GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham said at a press conference.
Joined by Sens. John McCain, Ron Johnson and Bill Cassidy, Graham said the bill that the Senate passes would be immediately taken up by the House - rather than going to a House-Senate conference for further negotiations and then should head to President Donald Trump's desk, CNN reported.
"The skinny bill as policy is a disaster, the skinny bill as a replacement for Obamacare is a fraud," Graham added. "The skinny bill is a vehicle for getting conference to find a replacement."
The text of the Republican bill that would scrap Obamacare's individual and employer mandates remained unseen by senators or the public, but it was discussed during a closed-door lunch and an outline of it has been circulating among lawmakers and lobbyists.
In another key provision to win conservative support, it would also block federal funding for Planned Parenthood, which provides abortion services.
Trump has urged Republicans Thursday morning to get something passed.
"Come on Republican Senators, you can do it on Healthcare. After 7 years, this is your chance to shine! Don't let the American people down!" he tweeted.
"Let's finish our work," McConnell urged his colleagues from the Senate .
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
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