President Trump, with his United Nations debut over, turned his attention Saturday to make-or-break senators in their chamber’s upcoming ObamaCare vote, encouraging Sen. Rand Paul to “find a way” to vote yes.
The Senate is scheduled next week to vote on another plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare, the so-called “Cassidy-Graham Bill,” which like other previous attempts this year appears a few vote shy of passage.
“I know Rand Paul and I think he may find a way to get there for the good of the Party!” Trump said Saturday morning in one of several tweets.
I know Rand Paul and I think he may find a way to get there for the good of the Party!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
The GOP-controlled chamber has until Sept. 30 to pass the bill with a simple, 51-vote majority under the so-called “budget reconciliation” procedure.
Republicans have 52 members in the Senate, however Paul, of Kentucky; Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska; John McCain, of Arizona, and Susan Collins, of Maine, appear holdouts, as in previous votes.
“Alaska had a 200% plus increase in premiums under ObamaCare, worst in the country. Deductibles high, people angry! Lisa M comes through,” Trump tweeted Saturday about Murkowski.
Alaska had a 200% plus increase in premiums under ObamaCare, worst in the country. Deductibles high, people angry! Lisa M comes through.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
Earlier this spring the House approved an ObamaCare replacement measure but the Senate as failed on at least two tries, frustrating Trump who made a major campaign promise of dismantling former President Barack Obama’s signature 2010 health care law.
No Democrats support congressional legislation to end the law.
Under the Cassidy-Graham bill, states would have more flexibility in managing federally-backed health insurance by giving states funds through block grants.
McCain, recently diagnosed with brain cancer, cast the deciding vote in August to nix a repeal-replace bill backed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky.
On Friday, the Arizona senator Friday that he would not vote for the Cassidy-Graham bill.
“I cannot in good conscience vote for the Graham-Cassidy proposal,” McCain said in a statement on Friday.
His opposition could effectively doom the bill, which Senate leaders were hoping to bring to the floor next week ahead of a looming deadline.
Trump slammed McCain on Saturday in three tweets:
John McCain never had any intention of voting for this Bill, which his Governor loves. He campaigned on Repeal & Replace. Let Arizona down!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
“John McCain never had any intention of voting for this Bill, which his Governor loves. He campaigned on Repeal & Replace. Let Arizona down!” he wrote, followed by: “Arizona had a 116% increase in ObamaCare premiums last year, with deductibles very high. Chuck Schumer sold John McCain a bill of goods. Sad.
Arizona had a 116% increase in ObamaCare premiums last year, with deductibles very high. Chuck Schumer sold John McCain a bill of goods. Sad
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
“Large Block Grants to States is a good thing to do. Better control & management. Great for Arizona. McCain let his best friend (South Carolina GOP. Sen.Lindsey Graham) down!”
