The Senate takes up Obamacare repeal legislation…again

  Senate Republicans are working on another plan to repeal and replace Obamacare and they are claiming at this point they only need one or two more votes…sound familiar?

  Here is more:

A last-ditch effort by Senate Republicans to repeal and replace ObamaCare is gaining steam, suggesting lawmakers could face another vote on ending the former president’s signature law later this month.

Supporters do not have the 50 votes necessary to pass the bill yet, but pressure is growing on Republicans to back the measure, which could replace much of ObamaCare with block grants for states.

“Congress has 12 days to say ‘yes’ to Graham-Cassidy. It’s time for them to get the job done,” he said, referring to the bill’s two main co-sponsors, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.).

  The reason the Congress only has 12 days to pass this legislation is because they are hoping to use the budget reconciliation process to pass the legislation with a simple majority vote, after that time it would take 60 votes to pass–unless the Republicans go nuclear.

  Once again the wildcard seems to be John McCain and this leads us to the “he said” in the block quote above, that person is Arizona Governor Doug Ducey who has come out in support of the measure. John McCain has said Ducey’s support was critical to his decision.

In a crucial boost for its chances on Monday, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) offered his support.

Ducey’s support is important because Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has said the Arizona governor’s position would be an important factor in how he votes.

  However John McCain does not seem to support using the budget reconciliation process in this case:

Still, McCain on Monday criticized the rushed process leading up to a possible vote next week, while not ruling out voting for the bill.

“The governor of Arizona is favorably inclined, but I am going to have to have a lot more information,” McCain said.

He reiterated his call for committee hearings and amendments, known as “regular order.”

“We should be going through regular order,” he said. “I’ve said that about 12 times.”

  I have no idea what is in this bill, and I am not fond of rushing anything through the Congress before we can find out what is in it, so I am not prepared to state which side I am on at this time.

  I do know that Rand Paul is against it because, once again, he is calling this Obamacare-lite. It could be just another attempt at rewording the last failed piece of legislation.

malo periculosam libertatem quam quietum servitium