Multiple media sources are reporting that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is delaying the Senate vote on health care until after the July 4 recess.
From the AP:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., delivered the message to GOP senators at a private lunch also attended by Vice President Mike Pence and White House chief of staff Reince Priebus. The decision was described by a Republican aide and another informed person who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the closed-door decision.
Several conservatives, including Sens. Mike Lee, Ron Johnson and Rand Paul, along with liberal Democrat-with-an-R Susan Collins oppose the bill, albeit for different reasons.
I want to work w/ my GOP & Dem colleagues to fix the flaws in ACA. CBO analysis shows Senate bill won't do it. I will vote no on mtp. 1/3
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) June 26, 2017
The bill needs some work, notably on two issues. One is allowing states more flexibility to deal with Medicaid and free market solutions, including waiting periods for pre-existing conditions; and the other is dealing with funding Planned Parenthood.
“I would not bet against Mitch McConnell,” his House counterpart, Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., told reporters. But the Senate was convening later than usual Tuesday, and it soon became clear the votes weren’t there even to begin debate.
