Facing defiance, GOP leaders press ahead on health bill
WASHINGTON — Facing mounting rank-and-file defiance, Republican leaders and the White House redoubled their efforts Tuesday to muscle legislation overhauling America’s health care system through Congress following a sobering report about millions being shoved off insurance coverage.
President Donald Trump, whose strong Election Day showing in GOP regions makes him the party’s ultimate Capitol Hill vote wrangler, discussed the legislation by phone with the House’s two top Republicans. He also dispatched Vice-President Mike Pence and health secretary Tom Price to hear GOP senators’ concerns.
With leaders hoping to move the measure through the House next week so the Senate can debate it, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged they were open to changes. Trump’s spokesman affirmed a willingness to accept revisions to win support.
“This has never been a take it or leave it,” said Press Secretary Sean Spicer.