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U.S. NEWS Tuesday 26 sepTember 2017
Pelosi: Deploy Sen. Collins’ opposition kills GOP health care drive
military to help jority and solid Democratic

in Puerto Rico opposition, three GOP “no”
votes would doom the bill.
By ANDREW TAYLOR GOP Sens. John McCain of
Associated Press Arizona, Rand Paul of Ken-
WASHINGTON (AP) — tucky and Texas’ Ted Cruz
The top Democrat in the have said they oppose
House Monday called the measure, though Cruz
upon President Donald aides said he was seeking
Trump to deploy the mili- changes that would let him
tary to help with the hu- vote yes.The only way Re-
manitarian crisis in Puerto publicans could revive the
Rico. bill would be to change
The island territory of more opposing senators’ minds,
than 3 million U.S. citizens something they’ve been
is reeling in the devastat- trying unsuccessfully to
ing wake of Hurricane Ma- do for months.The Senate
ria. House Minority Leader must vote this week for
Nancy Pelosi says Penta- Republicans to have any
gon resources are need- chance of prevailing with
ed for search-and-rescue their narrow margin. Next
operations, maintaining Sunday, protections ex-
order, and help with trans- In this Aug. 17, 2017 photo, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, speaks to the media while attend- pire against a Democratic
portation. ing an event in Lewiston, Maine. The last-gasp Republican drive to tear down President Barack filibuster, bill-killing delays
Obama’s health care law essentially died Monday as Sen. Collins joined a small but decisive
The California Democrat cluster of GOP senators in opposing the push. that Republicans lack the
also said that the people (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) votes to overcome.
of Puerto Rico and the It was unclear if Senate
U.S. Virgin Islands “deserve Majority Leader Mitch Mc-
to know that their gov- By ALAN FRAM Medicaid program for poor “deeply flawed,” despite Connell, R-Ky., would have
ernment will be there for Associated Press and disabled people, drive several changes its spon- a roll call if he knew it would
them, without question or WASHINGTON (AP) — The up premiums for millions sors have made in an effort lose.Collins announced her
hesitation.” last-gasp Republican drive and weaken protections to round up support. decision shortly after the
The devastation in Puerto to tear down President Obama’s law gives people The collapse of the legisla- nonpartisan Congressional
Rico has received less me- Barack Obama’s health with pre-existing medical tion marks a replay of the Budget Office said “mil-
dia coverage than Harvey care law essentially died conditions. embarrassing loss Trump lions” of Americans would
and Hurricane Irma, and Monday as Maine Sen. Su- Collins told reporters that and party leaders suffered lose coverage under the
President Donald Trump san Collins joined a small she made her decision in July, when the Senate bill and projected it would
hasn’t brought much at- but decisive cluster of GOP despite receiving a phone rejected three attempts to impose $1 trillion in Medic-
tention to it. senators in opposing the call from President Donald pass legislation erasing the aid cuts through 2026.
Trump called the governors push. Trump, who’s been futilely 2010 statute. The GOP has No. 3 Senate GOP leader
of the Virgin Islands and The Maine moderate said trying to press unhappy made promises to scrap John Thune of South Da-
Puerto Rico last week, but in a statement that the GOP senators to back the the law a high-profile cam- kota conceded that the
his administration isn’t get- legislation would make measure. paign vow for years. measure’s prospects were
ting high marks some far for “devastating” cuts in the She said the legislation is With their narrow 52-48 ma- “bleak.”q
its hurricane response. White House eyes deep cuts to corporate tax rate
Pelosi’s comments came
after House Speaker Paul
Ryan, R-Wis., promised that By ANDREW TAYLOR without question or hesita- more than 3 million U.S. citi- finance the operations of
Washington will make sure Associated Press tion.” zens on the island territory, the air traffic control sys-
that the people of hurri- WASHINGTON (AP) — The The devastation in Puerto which is without power and tem. Pelosi and other Dem-
cane-devastated Puerto top Democrat in the House Rico has received less me- has seen terrible devasta- ocrats object to GOP pro-
Rico will “have what they Monday called upon Presi- dia coverage than Harvey tion. visions denying tax relief to
need.” dent Donald Trump to de- and Hurricane Irma, and Ryan said Congress is work- prior storm victims, and said
The Wisconsin Republi- ploy the military to help President Donald Trump ing with the administration the GOP effort should re-
can’s statement came as with the humanitarian crisis hasn’t brought much at- to make sure Puerto Rico new a key children’s health
authorities struggle to pro- in Puerto Rico. tention to it. Trump called gets all of the help that’s program as well.
vide adequate relief to the The island territory of more the governors of the Virgin required. Lawmakers ap- Monday’s legislation ap-
more than 3 million U.S. citi- than 3 million U.S. citizens Islands and Puerto Rico last proved $15 billion in hurri- peared likely to fail un-
zens on the island territory, is reeling in the devastat- week, but his administra- cane relief in the wake of der fast-track procedures
which is without power ing wake of Hurricane Ma- tion isn’t getting high marks Harvey but tens of billions and a two-thirds vote but
and has seen terrible dev- ria. House Minority Leader some far for its hurricane re- of dollars more is sure to be is likely to be revived later
astation. Nancy Pelosi says Penta- sponse.Pelosi’s comments needed in the weeks and this week.“The stories and
Ryan said Congress is work- gon resources are needed came after House Speaker months ahead. images coming out of
ing with the administration for search-and-rescue op- Paul Ryan, R-Wis., promised But a GOP-drafted pack- Puerto Rico are devastat-
to make sure Puerto Rico erations, maintaining order, that Washington will make age of tax relief for victims ing,” Ryan said. “Congress
gets all of the help that’s and help with transporta- sure that the people of hur- of Harvey, which slammed is working with the admin-
required. Lawmakers ap- tion. ricane-devastated Puerto Texas and Louisiana last istration to ensure neces-
proved $15 billion in hurri- The California Democrat Rico will “have what they month, ran into obsta- sary resources get to the
cane relief in the wake of also said that the people need.” cles on Monday as House U.S. territory. Our fellow citi-
Harvey but tens of billions of Puerto Rico and the U.S. The Wisconsin Republi- Democrats announced zens in Puerto Rico remain
of dollars more is sure to be Virgin Islands “deserve to can’s statement came as their opposition to it and in our prayers as we make
needed in the weeks and know that their govern- authorities struggle to pro- other provisions attached sure they have what they
months ahead. ment will be there for them, vide adequate relief to the to a must-do measure to need.” q