Despite worried reports from last week, the House of Representatives likely won’t re-vote on the American Health Care Act after the Congressional Budget Office scores the bill Wednesday evening, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., told the Washington Examiner on Wednesday afternoon.
“I see no reason why the House would have to take up a second vote on the existing bill,” Scalise said. “Now, if the Senate makes any changes, obviously we’ll consider that.”
Scalise separately suggested that he was prepared to “debunk” whatever score came out of the CBO on Wednesday.
Given how close the initial AHCA vote was, with 217 votes in favor and 213 against, calling for another vote would be perilous. But if the CBO score shows that the bill would reduce spending by at least $2 billion, that would meet the House GOP deficit reduction number and give them a green light to move forward. At that point, the House would formally send the bill to the Senate for consideration without needing another vote.
“I think that’s rumors from people in the media who would love nothing more than to have the House vote again on healthcare,” Scalise said.
Jason Russell is the contributors editor for the Washington Examiner.
