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Monday 26 June 2017
Trump: Not ‘that far off’ from passing health overhaul

By HOPE YEN Barack Obama’s health passed bill as “mean.”
Associated Press law. “I want to see a bill with
WASHINGTON (AP) — Mak- Unless those holdouts can heart,” he said, confirming
ing a final push, President be swayed, their numbers a switch from his lauda-
Donald Trump said he are more than enough to tory statements about the
doesn’t think congressional torpedo the measure de- House bill at a Rose Gar-
Republicans are “that far veloped in private by Sen- den ceremony with House
off” on a health overhaul to ate Majority Leader Mitch GOP leaders last month.
replace “the dead carcass McConnell, R-Ky., and de- “Healthcare’s a very com-
of Obamacare.” Expressing liver a bitter defeat for the plicated subject from the
frustration, he complained president. That’s because standpoint that you move
about “the level of hostil- unanimous opposition is it this way, and this group
ity” in government and expected from Democrats doesn’t like it.”
wondered why both par- in a chamber in which Re- “And honestly, nobody can
ties can’t work together on publicans hold a narrow be totally happy,” Trump
the Senate bill as GOP crit- President Donald Trump speaks during a bill signing event for 52-48 majority. said. McConnell has said
ics expressed doubt over a the “Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistle- Trump bemoaned the lack he’s willing to make chang-
successful vote this week. blower Protection Act of 2017” in the East Room of the White of bipartisanship in Wash- es to win support, and in
It was the latest signs of House, Friday, June 23, 2017, in Washington. ington, having belittled the week ahead, plenty
high-stakes maneuver- Associated Press prominent Democrats him- of backroom bargaining
ing over a key campaign terview broadcast Sunday. Trump’s comments come self. is expected. He is seeking
promise, and the president Referring to Republican amid the public opposition “It would be so great if the to push a final package
signaled a willingness to senators opposed to the of five Republican senators Democrats and Republi- through the Senate before
deal. bill, he added: “They want so far to the Senate GOP cans could get together, the July 4 recess.
“We have a very good to get some points, I think plan that would scuttle wrap their arms around it At least two GOP senators
plan,” Trump said in an in- they’ll get some points.” much of former President and come up with some- said Sunday that goal may
thing that everybody’s prove too ambitious.
happy with,” the president “I would like to delay,” said
said. “And I’m open arms; Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis.,
but, I don’t see that hap- one of the five senators op-
pening. They fight each posing the bill. “These bills
other. The level of hostility.” aren’t going to fix the prob-
Trump has denigrated lem. They’re not addressing
Democrats on numerous the root cause,” he said,
occasions, including a jab referring to rising health
at Democratic Sen. Eliza- care costs. “They’re doing
beth Warren in the same the same old Washington
interview: “She’s a hope- thing, throwing more mon-
less case. I call her Poca- ey at the problem.”
hontas and that’s an insult Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine,
to Pocahontas.” said seven to eight other
Warren, a leading liberal senators including herself
and defender of the Af- were troubled by provisions
fordable Care Act, has that she believes could cut
opposed efforts to pass a Medicaid even more than
bill to replace the law. The the House version.
Democrat reiterated her Collins, who also opposes
opposition in a statement proposed cuts to Planned
to The Associated Press on Parenthood, said she
Sunday, saying the health would await an analysis
care bill being pushed by Monday from the nonpar-
Senate Republicans is a tisan Congressional Budget
“monstrosity.” Office before taking a final
In a tweet last week after position on the bill. But she
Georgia’s special House said it will be “extremely dif-
election, Trump also criti- ficult” for the White House
cized House Democratic to be able to find a narrow
Leader Nancy Pelosi and path to attract both con-
Senate Democratic Leader servatives and moderates.
Chuck Schumer. “I certain- Addressing reporters Sun-
ly hope the Democrats do day, the Senate’s No. 2
not force Nancy P out. That Republican said passing a
would be very bad for the health care bill won’t get
Republican Party — and any easier if Republican
please let Cryin’ Chuck leaders delay a Senate
stay!” he wrote. vote on the GOP health
In the broadcast interview, care plan. Sen. John
Trump did not indicate Cornyn of Texas said there
what types of changes to is “a sense of urgency” to
the Senate bill may be in push forward but acknowl-
store, but affirmed that he edged the outcome is “go-
had described a House- ing to be close.”