US healthcare bill

Trump issues ultimatum

WASHINGTON: Donald Trump warned Republicans that he is done negotiating and wants a vote today on dismantling Obamacare, setting up a high-stakes showdown with members of the president's own party over his embattled health care plan, reports AFP.
House leaders were forced to postpone a Thursday vote on the measure amid a revolt by mainly conservative Republicans, who were complicating the first major legislative test for the new president by signaling it would not pass without key changes.
Trump himself set the stage, dispatching an aide to a closed-door meeting of Republican lawmakers to demand a Friday vote. "The message is tomorrow it's up, it's down -- we expect it to be up -- but it's done tomorrow," White House budget director Mick Mulvaney told the lawmakers, according to congressman Chris Collins. Mulvaney then delivered Trump's extraordinary ultimatum.
"If it doesn't pass, we're moving beyond health care," Mulvaney said, paraphrased by Collins. "We would be moving on to other parts of his agenda."
The idea that Trump -- who campaigned relentlessly on a pledge to bury Barack Obama's signature legislative accomplishment -- would wash his hands of the fight and let Obamacare stand is a startling departure from the party playbook.
But Mulvaney's blunt take-it-or-leave-it approach could be part of Trump's hardball strategy to get Republican rebels to fall in line.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, a champion of the legislation dubbed the American Health Care Act, put on a brave face despite the bill's hanging by a thread.
"We have been promising the American people we will repeal and replace this broken law because it's collapsing and failing families, and tomorrow we're proceeding," he told reporters after the conference meeting.
A procedural vote on the bill is set for approximately 10:00 am (1400 GMT) Friday, followed by a full floor vote in the afternoon.

 

 

 

 

US healthcare bill

Trump issues ultimatum

WASHINGTON: Donald Trump warned Republicans that he is done negotiating and wants a vote today on dismantling Obamacare, setting up a high-stakes showdown with members of the presidents own party over his embattled health care plan, reports AFP. House leaders were forced to postpone a Thursday vote on the measure amid a revolt by mainly conservative Republicans, who were complicating the first major legislative test for the new president by signaling it would not pass without key changes. Trump himself set the stage, dispatching an aide to a closed-door meeting of Republican lawmakers to demand a Friday vote. The message is tomorrow its up, its down -- we expect it to be up -- but its done tomorrow, White House budget director Mick Mulvaney told the lawmakers, according to congressman Chris Collins. Mulvaney then delivered Trumps extraordinary ultimatum. If it doesnt pass, were moving beyond health care, Mulvaney said, paraphrased by Collins. We would be moving on to other parts of his agenda. The idea that Trump -- who campaigned relentlessly on a pledge to bury Barack Obamas signature legislative accomplishment -- would wash his hands of the fight and let Obamacare stand is a startling departure from the party playbook. But Mulvaneys blunt take-it-or-leave-it approach could be part of Trumps hardball strategy to get Republican rebels to fall in line. House Speaker Paul Ryan, a champion of the legislation dubbed the American Health Care Act, put on a brave face despite the bills hanging by a thread. We have been promising the American people we will repeal and replace this broken law because its collapsing and failing families, and tomorrow were proceeding, he told reporters after the conference meeting. A procedural vote on the bill is set for approximately 10:00 am (1400 GMT) Friday, followed by a full floor vote in the afternoon.