On Tuesday, Senate Republicans pushed an air of confidence about their latest effort to strip millions of health care and demolish Medicaid as we know it. At a Capitol Hill press conference, Sen. Lindsey Graham, the lead author of the Graham-Cassidy repeal bill, predicted that it was Democrats—especially those representing red states—not Republicans, who would be squeezed by his new bill.
But 24 hours later, the wheels are already coming off that show of momentum, with GOP leader Mitch McConnell’s spokesperson leaving an escape hatch on the vote they’re supposedly holding next week.
"It is the leader’s intention to consider Graham/Cassidy on the floor next week,” a spokeswoman said.
McConnell has told colleagues he will only bring up the bill if it will succeed. The statement does leave some wiggle room to not proceed with a vote.
It’s the wiggle room not the “intention” that’s the story. As reporters on the Hill note, the intended vote is a way for GOP leaders to pressure fellow Republicans into supporting the bill.
Meanwhile, Sens. Graham and Bill Cassidy aren’t making any discernible progress on persuading crucial votes, like those of Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and John McCain of Arizona.
Another Obamacare repeal bill?! It’s time to jam the congressional phone lines again. Call your senator at (202) 224-3121 and tell them to vote NO on any repeal bill. (After you call, please tell us how it went.)
From earlier today:
And McCain hasn’t budged in 24 hours. From Tuesday ...
… to today:
“Nothing has changed. If McConnell wants to put it on the floor, that’s up to McConnell,” McCain said. “I am the same as I was before. I want the regular order.”
So keep jamming those phone lines, folks. It’s working. While we can’t take anything for granted, the momentum is with us, despite what McConnell, Graham, and Cassidy want you to think.