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Republican Party, Marine Le Pen, Baton Rouge: Your Thursday Evening Briefing New York Times The vote lends momentum to President Trump's Capitol Hill agenda, but it could also leave moderate Republicans facing a backlash from their constituents. Above, Mr. Trump congratulated House Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republicans at the White ...

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Republican Party, Marine Le Pen, Baton Rouge: Your Thursday Evening Briefing - New York Times

When the American Health Care Act passed the House of Representatives on May 4, Democrats waved and sang, "nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey, goodbye," to their GOP colleagues. (U.S. House of Representatives)

Here at the Plum Line, we write a lot about the mechanics of politics the processes of governing, the interplay of political forces, the back-and-forth between citizens and lawmakers, and so on. We do that because its interesting and because it winds up affecting all our lives. But there are moments when you have to set aside the mechanics and focus intently on the substance of what government does or in this case, what government is trying to do.

I wont mince words. The health-care bill that the House of Representatives passed this afternoon, in an incredibly narrow 217-to-213 vote, is not just wrong, or misguided, or problematic or foolish. It is an abomination. If there has been a piece of legislation in our lifetimes that boiled over with as much malice and indifference to human suffering, I cant recall what it might have been. And every member of the House who voted for it must be held accountable.

[Betrayal, carelessness, hypocrisy: The GOP health-care bill has it all]

Theres certainly a process critique one can make about this bill. We might focus on the fact that Republicans are rushing to pass it without having held a single hearing on it, without a score from the Congressional Budget Office that would tell us exactly what the effects would be, and before nearly anyone has had a chance to even look at the bills actual text all this despite the fact that they are remaking one-sixth of the American economy and affecting all of our lives (and despite their long and ridiculous claims that the Affordable Care Act was rammed through Congress, when in fact it was debated for an entire year and was the subject of dozens of hearings and endless public discussion). We might talk about how every major stakeholder group the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, the AARP, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Heart Association, and on and on all oppose the bill.

Here are three big ways the new Republican bill might change health care in the United States. (Daron Taylor/The Washington Post)

All that matters. But the real problem is whats in the bill itself. Here are some of the things it does:

It is no exaggeration to say that if it were to become law, this bill would kill significant numbers of Americans. People who lose their Medicaid, dont go to the doctor, and wind up finding out too late that theyre sick. People whose serious conditions put them up against lifetime limits or render them unable to afford whats on offer in the high-risk pools, and are suddenly unable to get treatment.

[Did Republicans just score a win on health care or lose?]

Those deaths are not abstractions, and those who vote to bring them about must be held to account. This can and should be a career-defining vote for every member of the House. No one who votes for something this vicious should be allowed to forget it ever. They should be challenged about it at every town hall meeting, at every campaign debate, in every election and every day as the letters and phone calls from angry and betrayed constituents make clear the intensity of their revulsion at what their representatives have done.

Perhaps this bill will never become law, and its harm may be averted. But that would not mitigate the moral responsibility of those who supported it. Members of Congress vote on a lot of inconsequential bills and bills that have a small impact on limited areas of American life. But this is one of the most critical moments in recent American political history. The Republican health-care bill is an act of monstrous cruelty. It should stain those who supported it to the end of their days.

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Every Republican who voted for this abomination must be held accountable - Washington Post (blog)

By BRIDGET BOWMAN and SIMONE PATH

Twenty Republicans bucked their party and voted against thehealth care overhaulon Thursday.

More than half of the members who voted no are part of the Tuesday Group, a collection ofmoderate House Republicans. Nine of the lawmakers represent districts that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton carriedin November. President Donald Trump carried the districts of 11 of the members voting no.. But all of the lawmakers outperformed Trump last fall.

Fourteen of theno votes are Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee targets. Five of the lawmakers are also part of the National Republican Campaign Committees Patriot Program, which assists members in tough races.

Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs: The freshman lawmaker was the only member of the Freedom Caucusto oppose the bill. He hails from thesafely Republican 5th District where he overperformed Trump by nearly 7 points last fall. Biggs benefited from the Club for Growths support in a 2016 primary, but it remains to be seen how outside groups will treat the conservative holdout. The club announcedits support for the Meadows-MacArthur amendment last week and said Thursday it has no plans to oppose Biggs for his vote against the bill. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates his race Solid Republican.

Colorado Rep. Mike Coffman: Also a Tuesday Group member, Coffman was leaning toward voting yes on the original version of the bill in March. Hours before Thursdays vote, he announced he was concerned that some Americans with pre-existing conditions wouldnt be covered under the Meadows-MacArthur amendment and he wasnt willing to support a bill without seeing a CBO score. A perennial Democratic target, Coffman represents a suburban district outside Denver with a diverse population that voted for Clinton by 9 points. He overperformed Trump by nearly 10 points, but hes once again at the top of the DCCCs target list, and the NRCC added him to the Patriot Program earlier this week. Inside Elections rates his raceLeans Republican.

Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock: A member of the moderate Tuesday Group, Comstock would have had a hard time defending a vote for the bill in a suburban district outside Washington, D.C., thats a favorite Democratic target. The NRCC included her on its initial Patriot Program list for vulnerable members in February. Her survival likely depends on her ability to distance herself from her party and Trump when necessary. She did that well last cycle, overperforming Trump by 11 points in a district Clinton carried by 10 points. Inside Elections this raceLeans Republican.

Pennsylvania Rep. Ryan A. Costello: Another Tuesday Group member, Costello represents a district outside Philadelphia that narrowly voted for Clinton last fall. The sophomore, who chairs the NRCCs Patriot Program, easily overcame a Democratic challenge last year from an underwhelming candidate. He overperformed Trump by 10 points. But Democrats are once again targeting the seat, hoping they can knock him off with the right candidate. Inside Elections rates his raceLikely Republican.

Pennsylvania Rep. Charlie Dent: A co-chairman of the Tuesday Group, Dent is the rare GOP moderate whos not vulnerable. He won his seventh term last fall by a comfortable 20-point margin, overperforming Trump by 7points. Trump still carried the district, which is rated Solid Republican.

New York Rep. Dan Donovan: Democrats didnt seriously contest this Staten Island-based district last year after Donovan won a special election in 2015. He went on to win his first full term by 26 points. Trump did well here, too, defeating Clinton by about 10 points in a district Obama narrowly carried in 2012. But this Tuesday Group member is now one of eight New York Republicans on the DCCCs initial target list. Inside Elections rates his raceSolid Republican.

Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick: ATuesday Group freshman, Fitzpatrick won theBucks County seat vacated by his brother by 9 points last fall. Hes a moderate in a district that Trump carried by less than half a point. Democrats are always trying to pick off Philadelphia suburban seats, and next year will be no exception. Fitzpatrick is both a DCCC target and a member of the NRCCs Patriot Program. His race is rated Lean Republican.

Washington Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler:Another Tuesday Group member, shes one of three female Republicans who voted against the bill. Shes never been in much danger before, winning a fourth term last fall with62 percent of the vote. But Trump carriedher district withless than 50 percent, and shes a DCCC target in 2018. Her race is rated Solid Republican.

Texas Rep. Will Hurd: The second-term congressman is one of the most vulnerable GOP incumbents, and is among the DCCC targets and NRCC Patriots. Clinton carriedhis southwest Texas district, whileHurd overperformed Trump by roughly 2points. Inside Elections rates his race a Tossup.

North Carolina Rep. Walter B. Jones: The 12-term Liberty Caucus member does his own thing and isnt afraid to buck leadership. He represents a solidly red district on North Carolinas coast, which he won by 7 points more than Trump last fall. Any electoral danger Jones would face for his vote would come in a primary. He secured the GOP nod by less than 6 points in 2014. But two years later, he easily dispatched two primary challengers. Plus, the Jones names goes far in this district; his father represented the same area for 26 years. Inside Elections rates his raceSolid Republican.

Ohio Rep. David Joyce: The Ohio Republican is not a DCCC target. Trump carried Joyces GOP-leaning district in 2016 but the Tuesday Group memberoutperformed himby 9 points. Inside Elections rates his race Solid Republican.

New York Rep. John Katko: The second-term congressman is a DCCC target and also part of the NRCCs Patriot Program. Clinton carriedhis upstate New York district, but Katko overperformed Trump by 15 points. Katko has raised concerns about the bills effect on coverage costs. Inside Election rates his raceLikely Republican.

New Jersey Rep. Leonard Lance:The fifth-term congressman represents a district that Clinton won in 2016, making him a DCCC target next year. He outperformed Trump by roughly 5 points last November. Like other House Republicans, Lance has faced questions about the GOPs health care plans at a recent town hall meetingsin his district. The Tuesday Group member touted his position that lawmakers should repair the 2010 health care law, which differs from the GOP mantra to repeal and replace. His race is rated Likely Republican.

New Jersey Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo:The Tuesday Group member, first elected in 1994, is one of the Democrats targets in 2018. Hes an original opponent of the bill, saying last week that no one in his district liked it. Trump won his district in 2016, though voters chose Obama in 2008 and 2012. In 2016, LoBiondo outperformed Trump by nearly 7 points. His race is rated Solid Republican.

Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie:He is one of the few conservatives who was not swayed to support the bill by an amendment allowing states to waive some insurance coverage requirements. Massie is not a member of the Freedom Caucus but votes with the most conservative House members. For Massie, the GOP bill did not fully repeal the 2010 law. Massie overperformed Trump by 6 points. Inside Elections rates his raceSolid Republican.

Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Meehan: A member of the Tuesday Group, Meehan is a DCCC target in 2018 since Clinton won his southeastern Pennsylvania district. But the fourth-term congressman outperformed Trump by roughly 12 points in November. His race is rated Likely Republican.

Washington Rep. Dave Reichert: The seven-term member, another Tuesday Group moderate, was supportive of the original GOP bill in March. He came out against the latest version shortly before Thursdays vote, saying it did not provide the essential protections he needed to support it. Reichert easily won re-election last year, but Clinton narrowly carried his district, making him a DCCC target in 2018. Inside Elections rates his raceSolid Republican.

Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen: The veteran congresswoman recently announced she will retire after this Congress, increasing Democrats chances of flipping her district, which Clinton won in 2016 by nearly 20 points. Ros-Lehtinen, in her 14th full term, said the amendments to the GOP bill were fig leaves, adding, I feel bad for all the vulnerable members. Ros-Lehtinen outperformed Trump by nearly 16 points last fall. Inside Elections rates her raceLean Democratic following her retirement announcement.

New Jersey Rep. Christopher H. Smith: The veteran congressman wasnt on the DCCCs initial target list and is currently in his 19th term in the House. Trump carriedSmiths district but Smith outperformed Trump by nearly 8 points. His race is rated Solid Republican.

Ohio Rep. Michael R. Turner: The eight-term lawmaker wasnt on the original whip lists as a no, but he said in a statement immediately after the vote that he couldnt support a bill that would leave our most vulnerable citizens with inadequate health coverage and that he had repeatedly voiced those concerns to leadership. He represents a safeRepublican seat that Trump carried by 7 points. His race is rated Solid Republican.

Correction 4:20 p.m. | An earlier version of the story incorrectly identified Rep. Christopher H. Smith as a member of the Tuesday Group.

Lindsey McPherson, Erin Mershon and Andrew Siddons contributed to this report.

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Meet the Republicans Who Voted 'No' on the Health Care Bill - Roll Call

WASHINGTON Time was running short for President Donald Trump to attract enough votes to pass a new bill to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system this week as Republican party moderates held out, fearing a backlash from voters worried about losing insurance benefits.

A senior House of Representatives Republican aide said on Tuesday night no decision had been made on bringing legislation to the floor this week before the House is due to start a week-long break late on Thursday.

A bill would need to be filed by late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning to hold the vote before the break.

Representative Mark Meadows of North Carolina, who heads the conservative House Freedom Caucus faction that helped block Trump's first attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, said earlier on Tuesday Republicans were still "a handful of votes away."

The lack of movement among Republicans puts Trump in danger of his second major legislative setback, raising questions about his ability to secure passage of other parts of his agenda, including a major tax reform plan.

Most House Freedom Caucus Republicans have gotten on board with the new proposal, but Democrats are vowing to oppose any attempt to unravel Democratic former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare overhaul.

The latest Republican plan would allow states to opt out of Obamacare provisions that force insurers to charge sick and healthy people the same rates. That is seen as a concession to conservatives to attract their votes.

Trump insisted in an interview with CBS News that aired on Sunday that the protections for those with pre-existing conditions would remain.

"I think it's time now" for a healthcare vote, the Republican president said at the White House on Tuesday.

Even if a plan passes the House, it is expected to face a tough fight in the Senate, where Republicans have a narrower majority.

OPPOSITION

Republicans contend that Obama's signature 2010 healthcare law, which allowed some 20 million Americans to gain medical insurance, is too intrusive and expensive.

The White House sent Vice President Mike Pence to the Capitol on Tuesday to meet Republican holdouts on the party's latest effort to pass a healthcare overhaul.

Republicans remain divided over key aspects of the healthcare bill, with some lawmakers worrying about a potential spike in the number of people without coverage, or sharp increases in insurance premiums.

Representative Daniel Webster, whose central Florida district is home to many retirees, said Pence told him he would try to work out problems caused by proposed Medicaid spending caps that would limit nursing-home beds.

"I just think its going to cost us a lot in Florida, Webster said.

Another Florida Republican, Thomas Rooney, said confusion over the potential loss of coverage for pre-existing conditions had his constituents scared that "they're going to die because of a vote that we might be taking."

Conservative groups such as the Club for Growth and Heritage Action started to increase pressure on moderate Republicans who were resisting the bill, such as Representative Billy Long of Missouri.

"Billy is using liberal talking points to distort the truth," Club for Growth President David McIntosh said, adding that Long "may want to keep Obamacare."

Left-leaning groups, including the Center for American Progress (CAP), were pushing their members to call lawmakers to urge them to oppose the healthcare bill, including via 7,000 medicine bottles delivered to congressional districts. Emily Tisch Sussman, a CAP organizer, said those efforts had generated "tens of thousands" of phone calls.

Patient advocacy groups, including the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association, also oppose the reworked bill, while the American Medical Association and others have expressed concerns.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan, David Morgan, Steve Holland, Doina Chiacu and Lisa Lambert, Ginger Gibson; Writing by David Lawder and Paul Simao; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh, Peter Cooney and Paul Tait)

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. Russia succeeded in its goals of sowing discord in U.S. politics by meddling in the 2016 presidential election, which will likely inspire similar future efforts, two top former U.S. voices on intelligence said on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON Donald Trumps national security adviser described his bosss foreign policy approach as "disruptive" on the eve of the U.S. presidents first White House meeting with the Palestinian leader, saying his unconventional ways could create an opportunity to ultimately help stabilize the Middle East.

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Trump struggles to win over moderate Republicans on healthcare overhaul - Reuters

Fox News

GOP Scrambles as a Crucial Voice Shuns the Latest Health Bill New York Times Republican leaders were ready to move on from health care after the embarrassing collapse of their measure in March, but President Trump pressed Mr. Ryan hard to deliver on a major campaign promise and personally pressured House members to fall into ... Influential GOP lawmaker latest to say no to revised Republican health care billFox News Inside Republicans' Uphill Battle to Pass Health CareNBCNews.com House Republicans Weigh Another Health Care AmendmentHuffington Post Washington Post -The Atlantic -The Boston Globe -CBS News all 655 news articles »

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GOP Scrambles as a Crucial Voice Shuns the Latest Health Bill - New York Times