Most Republicans agree that there’s probably not enough time to vote this week on a revamped bill to repeal Obamacare, even though Republicans are set to meet with Vice President Mike Pence tonight to assess the situation.
“We haven’t seen a new version yet,” said Rep. Justin Amash, a House Freedom Caucus member who opposed the first draft even after the White House acceded to changes demanded by HFC members. “I don’t have any further comments until I see something” in writing, he told the Washington Examiner. “I’m always willing to look at any proposal that is offered, but I can’t really comment on where I’d be” with the new bill until it’s introduced.
Rep. Dave Brat, R-Va., another Freedom Caucus member who was also a holdout, said he doesn’t think tonight’s meeting will change many minds and doubts the White House and Republican leaders can show him on paper how health insurance premiums will go down under the bill, his main sticking point.
Pence is convening leaders of the Freedom Caucus, the moderate Tuesday Group and the biggest bloc within the House Republican Conference, the Republican Study Committee, as well as Energy and Commerce Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, and GOP leadership Tuesday night.
“I’ll tell you after I leave” if the meeting settles anything, New Jersey’ Tom MacArthur, one of the Tuesday Group’s three chairmen, told the Washington Examiner.
Lawmakers hope to see a draft text as soon as Tuesday night but acknowledged it may not be available until Wednesday morning. And although House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., held out the possibility that the package could hit the House floor before lawmakers leave town Thursday for a two-week recess, most of his conference does not share his optimism.
Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., who leads the massive Republican Study Committee, said he sees momentum but not necessarily a vote this week.
“I don’t know,” he told the Washington Examiner. “Maybe [we] reach an agreement. But getting it on the floor this week is a big ask unless we just extend the week or something.”
“If we get momentum and can get it done, we may be here a little longer than we thought,” he said of the possibility that House leaders will keep the lower chamber in session beyond Thursday afternoon.
Rep. Jim Renacci, R-Ohio, told the Examiner that leadership already went that route two weeks ago.
“I think we tried that already once before and it didn’t work,” Renacci said. “I think the answer is you really have to have a true process that brings people together. And if we’re not together by Wednesday, I doubt we’ll be together by Thursday.”
Nonetheless, most moderates said they are pleased with the direction they hear the legislation is heading.
“I’m encouraged that the essential health benefits have been put back in,” MacArthur said. “I’m cautiously optimistic, but I’d like to see the actual language.”
