The Republicans looked to have the votes to push through skinny repeal – but three senators upset the math to leave their party’s healthcare plans in tatters
When the Republicans held on to their Senate majority on the night Donald Trump was elected president, things looked truly bad for Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law. The general assumption was that, with control of both houses of Congress and the White House, the GOP would find a way to make good on seven years’ worth of campaign promises to end Obamacare, which expanded healthcare to nearly 20 million people.
Related: John McCain sinks 'skinny repeal' of Obamacare health act
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Donald Trump says Obamacare will now implode. Is he right?
Analysis: After the failure of the Republicans’ ‘skinny repeal’ bill, the Affordable Care Act faces hurdles – but the president’s assessment may be overblown
In a stunning blow to Donald Trump’s legislative agenda, Republican senators were overnight unable to pass a bill to undo major parts of the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, the health reform law considered Obama’s signature achievement.
Their efforts failed because three senators, including...
Republicans back ‘skinny repeal’ after guarantee it will not become law
Sceptical senators Lindsey Graham and Ron Johnson agree to vote for repeal on condition that it will trigger a congressional conference committee
Senate Republican leaders have unveiled their so-called “skinny repeal” bill – denounced by conservatives as a “fraud” and a “disaster” – in an eleventh-hour push to pass a pared-down repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
Related: Republican quartet will only vote for skinny repeal if assured it won't become law – live
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US Senate rejects bill to repeal Obamacare in huge blow for Trump – live
- Lindsey Graham calls skinny repeal a ‘terrible policy, a horrible policy’
- Republican healthcare debate: what is a ‘skinny repeal’ of Obamacare?
- Trump’s healthcare battle reminds Scaramucci of Lincoln fighting slavery
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Here’s footage of the notebook falling on Tim Scott on the Senate floor
On the Senate floor, @SenatorTimScott ge...
US healthcare debate: what is a ‘skinny repeal’ of Obamacare?
The latest Republican plan, whose details remain unclear, would eliminate the ACA’s individual mandate, employee mandate and ‘Cadillac tax’
It might sound like another trendy low-calorie caffeine drink promising all of the boost with none of the regrets.
But the skinny repeal is the fad sweeping the Senate Republican caucus as senators desperately try to find a way to advance their efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
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Senate rejects bill to repeal large parts of Obamacare without replacement
- Seven Republicans join with Democrats to oppose proposal
- Failure suggests GOP’s promise to repeal ACA wholesale will be hugely difficult
The Senate on Wednesday rejected a bill that would have repealed major pieces of Barack Obama’s health reforms without a replacement, something Republicans have promised to do for seven years.
Seven Republican senators joined with Democrats to reject the bill, in a sign that the party’s promise to repeal the Affordable Care ...
John McCain had the chance to do the right thing on healthcare. He failed | Lucia Graves
There are many reasons to respect the Arizona senator, but his remarkable stoicism and service can’t excuse his yes vote in the Senate
John McCain often gets cast as a truth-teller to Donald Trump, but his voting record says otherwise. And nowhere was that more clear than on Tuesday when, despite his own ill health, when it came to the decision of whether to take other people’s healthcare away, he cast a decisive vote in the wrong direction.
Related: Senate Republicans vote to...
Bipartisan hugs and a waltz with Bernie Sanders: McCain’s moving return to DC
The Arizona senator’s return to Washington was met with cheers and applause, even as he spoke passionately about the need for compromise in the Senate
In an emotional return to the Capitol, John McCain gave an impassioned speech about the state of American politics shortly after voting to begin debate on repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Related: Senate Republicans vote to open debate on repealing and replacing Obamacare
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Trump lauds healthcare bill’s progress in Senate – video
Donald Trump gives a press conference with the Lebanese prime minister, Saad Hariri, at the White House on Tuesday, saying he is very happy with the healthcare vote in the Senate and calling it a ‘big step’. Trump also thanks John McCain, who returned to Washington despite his brain cancer diagnosis to cast a vote
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McCain calls for cooperation over healthcare: ‘We’re getting nothing done’ – video
Senator John McCain speaks in the Senate on Tuesday following his return to vote on the healthcare bill. McCain, recently diagnosed with cancer, told both parties that cooperation would be necessary in the future. He also said he would not support the healthcare bill in its current form
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- Senate Republicans vote to open debate on repealing and replacing Obamacare