President Donald Trump was reportedly “blindsided” by the bill’s collapse on Monday, which came just moments after a White House strategy dinner on repealing and replacing Obamacare.
At the dinner, Trump pressed the importance of repealing and replacing the Obama-era Affordable Care Act with a GOP alternative.
“He basically said, if we don’t do this, we’re in trouble,” one person briefed on the meeting told Politico. “That we have the Senate, House and White House, and we have to do it or we’re going to look terrible.”
But the GOP’s best hope at “repeal and replace” fell apart just as senators left the White House dinner when two more Republican senators — Jerry Moran of Kansas and Mike Lee of Utah — said they would not support bringing the Republican healthcare bill to the floor for debate.
The procedural faux pas meant GOP leadership did not have the votes to proceed with the bill. Three “no” votes can block a bill — Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky also opposed the motion.
In the moments after the announcement by Moran and Lee, Trump took to Twitter,
“Republicans should just REPEAL failing ObamaCare now & work on a new Healthcare Plan that will start from a clean slate. Dems will join in!” he tweeted out Monday at 10:17 p.m.
Republicans should just REPEAL failing ObamaCare now & work on a new Healthcare Plan that will start from a clean slate. Dems will join in!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2017
But on Tuesday, in a seemingly contradictory tweet, he showed a bit more patience for the process.
“We were let down by all of the Democrats and a few Republicans. Most Republicans were loyal, terrific & worked really hard. We will return!” he tweeted just after 8 a.m.
We were let down by all of the Democrats and a few Republicans. Most Republicans were loyal, terrific & worked really hard. We will return!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2017
But then the president was backing immediate repeal once again.
“As I have always said, let ObamaCare fail and then come together and do a great healthcare plan. Stay tuned!” he tweeted a few minutes later.
As I have always said, let ObamaCare fail and then come together and do a great healthcare plan. Stay tuned!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2017
He then turned his sights to advocating for the failure of the ACA, blaming the Democrats for its repeated failure.
“With only a very small majority, the Republicans in the House & Senate need more victories next year since Dems totally obstruct, no votes!” he wrote on Twitter.
With only a very small majority, the Republicans in the House & Senate need more victories next year since Dems totally obstruct, no votes!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2017
Finally, he suggested the “nuclear” option, dropping the vote down to a simple majority to win.
“The Senate must go to a 51 vote majority instead of current 60 votes. Even parts of full Repeal need 60. 8 Dems control Senate. Crazy!” he tweeted.
The Senate must go to a 51 vote majority instead of current 60 votes. Even parts of full Repeal need 60. 8 Dems control Senate. Crazy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2017
