The Senate measure repealing and replacing ObamaCare will likely need 60 votes, almost guaranteeing that it won’t be able to pass. …
The Senate measure repealing and replacing ObamaCare will likely need 60 votes, almost guaranteeing that it won’t be able to pass.
Senate Republicans offered an amendment that includes the Senate GOP proposal, known as the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) , on Tuesday evening.
The amendment will also include Sen. Ted Cruz Ted Cruz Senate ObamaCare repeal, replace plan expected to need 60 votes GOP senator blames media for Trump-Sessions tension Trump won’ t say if he’ ll fire Sessions MORE ‘s (Texas) proposal to give insurance companies more flexibility on what kinds of health insurance plans it offers, and a Medicaid proposal from Sen. Rob Portman Rob Portman Senate ObamaCare repeal, replace plan expected to need 60 votes Senate votes to begin ObamaCare repeal debate GOP senators back Sessions after Trump attacks MORE (Ohio) .
The move means at least eight Democrats and every Republican senator will need to support the amendment—an unlikely hurdle with Democrats unified in opposition and several GOP senators concerned about the repeal-and-replace plan.
Repeal and replace is being offered as a «secondary amendment» to an amendment on the 2015 repeal bill. Under Senate procedure, lawmakers need to vote on the repeal-and-replace proposal first, before then voting on the repeal-only amendment.
Though the ObamaCare repeal-only amendment needs just 50 votes, neither measures appears to have the necessary support to pass and be attached to the House healthcare bill.
The Senate voted earlier Monday to take up the House-passed healthcare bill, which is being used as a vehicle for any Senate action. The two amendments filed Tuesday afternoon are the first of hundreds that are expected on the bill.
Republicans are also floating trying to pass a «skinny» repeal that would include a repeal of the individual and employer mandates and the medical device tax, if they can’t get an agreement on either repeal and replace or the 2015 repeal bill.
