Morning Round Up: "GOP Struggles" Edition
These couldn’t have been the headlines that Republicans had hoped to see this week. It’s clear the GOP is deeply divided over TrumpCare, with no path forward. It’s time for them to read the tea leaves, abandon their failed bill, and work with Democrats to improve the Affordable Care Act for all Americans.
New York Times: Vote Delayed as G.O.P. Struggles to Marshal Support for Health Care Bill
“Facing intransigent Republican opposition, the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, on Tuesday delayed a vote on legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act, dealing another setback to Republicans’ seven-year effort to dismantle the health law and setting up a long, heated summer of health care battles.”
“Mr. McConnell faced resistance from across his conference, not only from the most moderate and conservative senators but from others as well. Had he pressed forward this week, he almost surely would have lacked the votes even to begin debate on the bill.”
Wall Street Journal: Intraparty Disputes Stall Republicans’ Legislative Agenda
“The Republican-controlled Congress is struggling to overcome intraparty fissures that have been expanding since the rise of the Tea Party in 2010, threatening to derail their legislative ambitions this year.”
“On Tuesday, Senate GOP leaders opted to delay a vote on their bill that would dismantle and replace much of former President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act in the face of resistance among Senate Republicans over the bill’s policy planks.”
“The delays bogging down marquee elements of the GOP agenda left Republicans and President Donald Trump with little legislative achievements after nearly six months in power.”
Washington Post: The Trump-McConnell bond is being tested. So is the GOP agenda.
“McConnell has largely taken responsibility for ushering the GOP overhaul of the Affordable Care Act through the Senate. The bill suffered a blow on Tuesday, when a procedural vote was postponed until next month because at least half a dozen Republican senators remain wary of the measure.”
Roll Call: Republican Opposition to Health Care Bill Mounts
“Republican opposition to legislation to overhaul the U.S. health insurance system grew after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell chose to delay a vote on the measure until after the upcoming Fourth of July recess, a sign of the challenges GOP leadership faces in crafting legislation with support solely from their own party.”