Lawmakers discuss possible Senate vote on GOP health care bill
WASHINGTON (Sinclair Broadcast Group)- Lawmakers in Washington are responding to President Trump's remarks that the GOP health care bill is "not that far off" from a passing vote on Capitol Hill.
Speaking to "Fox and Friends" Sunday morning, the president said he felt the republicans are "going to get there" with the bill. Trump said it would be ideal if lawmakers could "come up something that everybody's happy with."
Although, Republican Senator Susan Collins, R- Maine, said getting the necessary votes to pass the American Health Care Act could be difficult, in an interview with ABC's "This Week."
While the senator has not taken an official stance on the bill she admitted to having "very serious concerns" about the legislation. Collins feels Medicaid could be cut more than the House bill but she will wait until the Congressional Budget Office releases its analysis of the bill before making her decision.
Five Republicans currently oppose the Senate health care bill as it is written. Those GOP lawmakers are Nevada Senator Dan Heller, Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, Utah Senator Mike Lee, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul and Texas Senator Ted Cruz. If more than three of the 52 Republican Senators oppose the bill will not pass.
Johnson appeared on NBCs "Meet the Press” said the Senate should not vote on the bill next week.
"I would like to delay the thing. There's no way we should be voting on this next week. No way," Johnson said.
The Wisconsin Senator said that if the bill is voted on next week it is not enough time for he and his constituents to "properly evaluate" the bill.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D- NY, appeared on ABC's "This Week," and said the bill had "at best, a 50-50 chance." The senator said that Democrats would be willing to work with Republicans if they agree to work to improve the Affordable Care Act rather than replace it.
Schumer called the bill "devastating" to the middle class.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday a vote could occur this week.
