Mitch McConnell to bring up Graham-Cassidy healthcare bill on Senate floor next week

The Graham-Cassidy healthcare bill, written by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Bill Cassidy, R-La., is the latest last-ditch effort by the Senate GOP to repeal President Obama’s signature legislation. The legislation takes much of Obamacare’s funding and would give it to state governments to spend how they like, instead of the federal government controlling the money.

“It is the Leader’s intention to consider Graham/Cassidy on the floor next week,” said David Popp, a spokesman for McConnell.

The Senate has until Sept. 30 to use the reconciliation tool that only requires 51 votes to repeal parts of Obamacare.

Earlier Wednesday, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., announced that the bill would reach the floor after meeting with Sens. Dan Sullivan, R-Ala., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Ala. Murkowski is one of the key votes needed to pass the bill after she, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., voted against the “skinny repeal” bill prior to the August recess.

McCain has declined to say how he plans to vote on this bill, reiterating repeatedly that he wants the legislation “regular order” despite the time crunch on the bill.

Earlier Wednesday, President Trump threw his weight behind the legislation in a tweet, saying that he hopes GOP senators “fulfill their promise” to repeal and replace the healthcare law.

However, one of Trump’s targets in his tweets, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, appears to already be lost as a “nay” vote. Trump called Paul “a negative force” for healthcare reform.

On Tuesday, Vice President Pence attended the Senate Republican’s weekly luncheon where he urged members to pass the bill ahead of next week’s deadline. He tweeted afterwards it was time to “get this done.”