GOP leaders may dare fellow Republicans to vote against Obamacare repeal – CNN
After a month of education meetings and round-the-clock discussions with more than 150 members, House Republican leaders are still trying to work through disagreements with their fellow lawmakers over tax credits, the tax exclusion on employer plans and Medicaid changes.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, Vice President Mike Pence and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price are planning to rally public support for their repeal and replace plans Friday in Ryan's hometown of Janesville, Wisconsin, a messaging spectacle as a flurry of legislative discussion continues back on Capitol Hill behind closed doors.
Leaders have to please both conservatives and moderates because they cannot depend on Democrats to pick up any slack, creating a delicate balance to prevent loss of any one of their constituencies en masse.
Right now there is a dual track effort underway in the House, two committees working in tandem to find a bill that can assuage conservative concerns but all the while ensuring the proposal actually gets passed across the finish line.
The Ways and Means Committee is expected to work through the weekend to try and structure the refundable tax credits in a way that addresses conservative members' concerns. The Energy and Commerce Committee has made their committee staff available to meet with Republican committee members and answer questions.
Republicans are still working on significant pieces of the legislation, including how to structure tax credits that would help low-income people buy insurance. The issue has been a major sticking point with conservatives, who say refundable tax credits are little more than a subsidy or "Obamacare lite." Moderates, meanwhile, are concerned the tax credits would be available to everyone -- including the wealthiest Americans.
CNN confirmed that one idea being considered is to limit who is eligible for the tax credits so that the richest wouldn't get the money. But that does little to deal with conservative gripes about the plan's basic structure.
House Republicans also plan to discuss overhauling Medicaid this weekend. Under the plan now, the enhanced match for Medicaid expansion would be phased out starting in 2020. That would likely pass in the House, but it's unclear if the more than a dozen expansion-state Republicans in the Senate would agree to it.
But there are limits to what actually can be changed. Republican leaders still have to pay for their Obamacare replacement and give low-income individuals the ability to buy health care. They also must figure out a way to protect patients with pre-existing conditions while scrapping the individual mandate that was intended to help buoy those costs.
The Kentucky Republican wrote a screed against leadership on social media and marched to the House side of the Capitol where he demanded that legislative aides show him the proposal. Aides repeatedly told him it wasn't there.
One senior Republican congressional aide warned that the time for stunts was quickly running out.
"There will come a time very soon where we're going to have to have a proposal. And, whether that be the House proposal or the Senate proposal, we're going to have a proposal and get 218 and 51," the aide said.
"So right now members can do what they're going to do, but that time for fun will end soon and members will be forced to make a very difficult decision very quickly," the aide added.
Following the leaked draft, leaders called in the Trump administration for reinforcements.
On Wednesday Energy and Commerce Chairman Greg Walden and House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady ventured over the Senate to sell their plan in a meeting most senators described as "constructive," but Paul described as a meeting where senators were told to "take it or leave it."
"It's a bad strategy," Paul told reporters Thursday. "I think this strategy's a real poor one and I've already told them, I'm not voting for a new entitlement program. If they want new entitlement programs and they want new government, Obamacare-lite, they can put that separately as a replacement bill, but the repeal bill ought to be a repeal."
Other Republicans say that there is still room to for lawmakers to make changes, but they warn lawmakers not to let perfect be the enemy of the good.
"Anybody that has really good ideas. This is the time to bring 'em. Anybody who thinks that their bill is the only bill that can pass, that's not realistic," House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise said Thursday. "At the end of the day, we're going to repeal Obamacare and replace it."
This story has been updated to reflect additional news.
CNN's Phil Mattingly contributed to this report.
More:
GOP leaders may dare fellow Republicans to vote against Obamacare repeal - CNN
- Can Trump handle the new Republican factions? - Financial Times - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Column: I watched Trump's inauguration with a Democrat and a Republican. Here's what they saw - Los Angeles Times - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Scott Bottoms, Republican state representative, will run for Colorado governor in 2026 - The Colorado Sun - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Inside The Farce Of Swaying Republican Senators On Trumps Nominees - TPM - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Congress moving more slowly than Trump on Republican agenda - Semafor - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Republican Lawmaker Calls for Bishop to Be Deported for Telling Trump to Have 'Mercy' on Scared Children - LatinTimes - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Republican Senators find their spines hiding behind a brave woman - Boing Boing - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Idaho Republican Party says it needs help paying its rent for Boise HQ - Idaho Capital Sun - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- As Trump takes office again, he has even more sway over the Republican Party - NPR - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- The Battle over Veterans Health Care: How the Republican Majority Hopes to Reshape the VA - Military.com - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Sheriffs are going to be emboldened: Republican sheriffs are raring to implement Trumps deportation plans. - POLITICO - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- The Battle Over Veterans Health Care: How the Republican Majority Hopes to Reshape VA - The War Horse - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Ten US Senate Democrats help advance Republican bill on migrants accused of theft - Reuters - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Republican SNAP Proposals Could Take Food Away From Millions of Low-Income Individuals and Families - Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Republican infighting flares after Burrows elected speaker - The Texas Tribune - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Republican states can move ahead with abortion pill lawsuit in Texas - Reuters - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Republican Governance Group wants to live up to its name - Roll Call - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Cuomo on the Ballot? Adams as a Republican? Candidates Have Limited Options and Little Time - THE CITY - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Lancaster County Republican suggests issues Trump should include in his inaugural address [column] - LNP | LancasterOnline - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Porn case in the Supreme Court this week is about protecting children, says Republican AG - Fox News - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Fox News Host Presses Republican on Trump Plan'Is This Really Realistic?' - Newsweek - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Just before Trump takes office, Meta is replacing its top policy exec with a prominent Republican - CNN - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Connolly Statement on Republican Rules Package for the 119th Congress - Gerry Connolly - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Altria donation pushes Republican Party of Kentucky headquarters building fund to $3.65 million - User-generated content - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- 'Is it realistic to deport everybody?' Top Senate Republican on Donald Trump's mass deportation promises - USA TODAY - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Meta's Nick Clegg to step down, will be replaced by well-connected Republican - Axios - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Meta Taps Republican as New Head of Global Policy - The Wall Street Journal - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- GRI Action Workshop # 7: The Republican Agenda What It Is, Where It Came From, How We Can Serve the Common Good - Redheaded Blackbelt - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Adam Kinzinger Brutally Sums Up The 'Entire' Republican Party With Just 1 Acronym - HuffPost - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Another Democratic state lawmaker in Florida is joining the Republican party - The Associated Press - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Republican Allegedly Refusing To Lower Flags to Half-Staff Sparks Anger - Newsweek - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Mike Johnson Elected House Speaker After Republican Holdouts Change Their Votes in the First Round - PEOPLE - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Dave McCormick sworn into office, poised to build on Trump-led Republican agenda - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Republican senator reveals the best way US can 'counter terrorism' - Fox News - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Family of Rep. Kay Granger Reveals She Has Dementia; Texas Republican Has Missed Every Vote Since July - Democracy Now! - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- GOP Spending Rebellion Is Ominous Sign for Trumps All-Republican Government - The Wall Street Journal - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- What we know about the 2024 Democratic and Republican parties: An analysis of congressional candidates - Brookings Institution - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Transcript: Rep. French Hill, Republican of Arkansas, on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Dec. 22, 2024 - CBS News - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Trump's agenda in trouble? What the Republican revolt on spending bill tells us - USA TODAY - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- The new right gathers to celebrate Trump and the splintering of the Republican Party - The Associated Press - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- Trump calls out Texas Republican after voting against deal to prevent government shutdown - Austin American-Statesman - December 25th, 2024 [December 25th, 2024]
- House votes down Republican bill to avert shutdown on eve of the deadline - NBC News - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Elon Musk 'Runs the Republican Party'Congress Reacts to CR Bill Collapse - Newsweek - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Donald Trump hopes a Republican challenges U.S. Rep. Chip Roy over debt ceiling opposition - The Texas Tribune - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Analyzing Trump's historical impact on the Republican Party - CBS News - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- House Republican to OSHA: Drop worker heat protections - E&E News - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- House votes down Republican bill to avert shutdown on eve of the deadline - MSNBC - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Rep. Carbajal Blasts Republican Budget Obstruction Holding Up More than $14 Million in Central Coast Projects - Salud Carbajal - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Republican Appeals Court Judge Griffin asks the NC Supreme Court to throw out votes - NC Newsline - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Democrats tank laughable Trump-backed spending deal with the help of Republican conservatives - Yahoo! Voices - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- How I lost my faith in the court system (Letters to the Editor of The Republican) - MassLive.com - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- Republican spending bill to avert government shutdown fails in House as it happened - The Guardian US - December 20th, 2024 [December 20th, 2024]
- An emerging Texas megadonor just pledged $20 million to expand a true Republican majority - The Texas Tribune - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Exclusive | Trump Pledged to Cut Taxes for Expats. This Republican Wants to Make It a Reality. - The Wall Street Journal - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Trump pushes for FBI probe of Republican Liz Cheney over Jan. 6 panel - Reuters - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Romney stands by Trump criticism but says MAGA is now the Republican Party - CNN - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Reflections, gratitude, and excitement for Marshalltowns future - Marshalltown Times Republican - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- MAGA is the Republican party: Mitt Romney on GOP after Trump win - CNN - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Mitt Romney predicts JD Vance will be 2028 GOP nominee: 'MAGA is the Republican Party' - USA TODAY - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Adam Kinzinger Tells Us Why Hes The Last Republican in New Trailer (Exclusive) - Hollywood Reporter - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- US Senate Rejects NLRB Chairman McFerran Nomination; NLRB Poised To Switch To Republican Majority in Early 2025 (US) - Employment Law Worldview - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Key Republican Calls For Criminal Probe Of Liz Cheney Over Jan. 6 Committee Work - HuffPost - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Outgoing House Republican: 'The Less' Congress Does, 'The Better' - Newsweek - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Dozens of Republican governors pledge to work with Trump on mass deportations: We stand united - Fox News - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Webb Countys top elected official switches to Republican Party - The Texas Tribune - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- What Does a Republican-Controlled Government Mean for Retirement? - U.S News & World Report Money - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Florida lawmakers party switch increases Republican supermajority in the House - The Associated Press - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Republican-led states are rolling out plans that could aid Trumps mass deportation effort - The Associated Press - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- California High-Speed Rail Federal Funding Targeted by House Republican - Newsweek - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Levin: Broadband Affordability Should Be Republican Priority - BroadbandBreakfast.com - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Republican telework claims aren't remotely true - Bleeding Heartland - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Republican Trifecta, Federal Budget Negotiations Could Have a Positive Impact on the Nursing Home Sector - Skilled Nursing News - December 12th, 2024 [December 12th, 2024]
- Did 'The View' just play fake audience applause for a Republican interview guest? Listen here - Entertainment Weekly News - December 4th, 2024 [December 4th, 2024]
- House Republican Wants Party To Boldly Own Plans To Gut The Social Safety Net - TPM - December 4th, 2024 [December 4th, 2024]
- Republican Lawmaker Brazenly Threatens Another Basic Right - The New Republic - December 4th, 2024 [December 4th, 2024]
- Californias Republican caucus is growing and more diverse, but its a long way from power - CalMatters - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Republican Health Coverage Proposals Would Increase Number of Uninsured, Raise Peoples Costs - Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Red tide: Fall River flipped Republican for first time in a century. How did Trump do it? - Fall River Herald News - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Johnson Gearing Up To Slow Chinese Influence Next Year With Republican Majorities - KCCR-AM - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]
- Americans opinion of Republican Party on the rise - The Hill - December 2nd, 2024 [December 2nd, 2024]