Earlier today Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced the Senate's version of the American Health Care Act, The Better Care Reconciliation Act. The legislation is otherwise known as Obamacare repeal.
In order for the bill to pass, McConnell needs 50 yes votes from Republicans and a vote from Vice President Mike Pence as a tie breaker. He can only afford to have two GOP Senators vote no.
Thursday afternoon four Republican Senators are officially opposing the legislation in its current form, but are open to negotiation and changes.
"Currently, for a variety of reasons, we are not ready to vote for this bill, but we are open to negotiation and obtaining more information before it is brought to the floor. There are provisions in this draft that represent an improvement to our current healthcare system but it does not appear this draft as written will accomplish the most important promise that we made to Americans: to repeal Obamacare and lower their healthcare costs," Senators Ted Cruz, Ron Johnson, Mike Lee and Rand Paul released in a statement.
The current #healthcarebill does not repeal Obamacare. It does not keep our promises to the American people.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) June 22, 2017
I will oppose the #healthcarebill coming to the floor in its current form, but I remain open to negotiations.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) June 22, 2017
With every Democrat staunchly opposed to repeal, the legislation as it stands is sunk and will not pass.
"I want to get to yes, but this first draft doesn't get the job done. Over the next week and beyond, I will continue working to bring Republicans together to honor our promise, repeal Obamacare, and adopt common-sense, consensus reforms that can actually be passed into law,” Cruz said.
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