House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows wants to get healthcare wrapped up by the beginning of September.
The North Carolina Republican, who helms the bloc of House conservatives, told Bloomberg TV on Wednesday that the “skinny repeal” of Obamacare that Senate Republicans are considering can’t be passed in the House. The legislation would serve as a vehicle to start negotiations in a conference between the House and Senate.
“That is not gonna be what gets signed in to the law,” Meadows said of legislation that would repeal Obamacare’s individual and employer mandate and possibly the medical device tax. “We will come together on conference so you will get some people in the Senate and members in the House and hopefully continue the negotiations.”
Meadows said he hoped that conferees would come together through August and iron out a new bill.
The House is expected to leave Washington at the end of the week for its August recess and return after Labor Day. The Senate extended its work period and plans to start recess after the second week of August.
Meadows said both chambers should vote on a new healthcare bill negotiated in conference and send it to President Trump in the first or second week of September.
“If this waits and goes past Thanksgiving and into January of next year, then premiums won’t come down,” he said.
Congress has other pressing issues to deal with in September, as well. Congress needs to reach a deal to fund the government by Sept. 30, the end of the federal fiscal year.
