Page 3 - ARUBA TODAY

A3
U.S. NEWS Wednesday 27 september 2017
‘Obamacare’ survives; GOP concedes on last-gasp repeal try

Continued from Front and divide them as they
pursued a partisan effort
Standing alongside Cas- against united Democratic
sidy, Majority Leader opposition.
Mitch McConnell said: Much the same could hap-
“We haven’t given up on pen on taxes, where Re-
changing the American publicans are at the begin-
health care system. We are ning of the process, with
not going to be able to do plans to unveil a blueprint
that this week, but it still lies on Wednesday.
ahead of us.” On health care, the urgen-
“We do think it’s time to cy confronting the GOP this
turn to our twin priority, re- week lay in special budget
forming the tax code,” Mc- rules that protected the
Connell said. legislation from a Demo-
There was much talk of re- cratic filibuster, allowing
turning to the repeal effort the Republicans to pass
later, but not all Republi- it with just 50 votes, plus a
can senators were putting tie-breaker from Pence,
on that brave face. instead of the 60 often re-
Sen John Kennedy of Loui- quired. Those special rules
siana described the bill as expire Sept. 30.
“dead as a doornail.” Even with that advantage Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives at the Capitol for a weekly Republican policy meeting, in
The bill Cassidy co-au- McConnell had little room Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017, amid the diminishing, last-ditch GOP push to overhaul the
nation’s health care system. Looking at the twilight of his career and a grim cancer diagnosis,
thored with Sen. Lindsey for error given his slim 52- McCain, who prides himself on an independent streak, could not be moved to go along with the
Graham of South Caro- 48 vote majority in the Graham-Cassidy bill.
lina would have unrav- 100-member Senate. And (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
eled the central elements as in July, when Arizona
of Obama’s law, including Sen. John McCain cast a
the requirement for Ameri- dramatic late-night thumbs
cans to carry health insur- down to kill the previous
ance or pay fines, and of- repeal bill, McConnell was
fered block grants to states unable to corral the 50
to design their own systems votes “Ayes.”
with less federal control. In addition to McCain,
Republicans are also moderate GOP Sen. Su-
strongly in agreement san Collins of Maine an-
on a need for action on nounced her opposition, as
overhauling the loophole- did conservative Sen. Rand
ridden U.S. tax code, and Paul of Kentucky. Several
hope that if they also suc- other senators were skepti-
ceed in getting Americans cal or undeclared, among
a tax cut, their failure on them Lisa Murkowski of
health care will be forgiv- Alaska, who waited until
en. McConnell had conced-
Yet they began the health ed defeat Tuesday to is-
care effort with unanimity, sue a statement criticizing
too, up until the devilish “a lousy process” on the
details began to emerge legislation.q

Trump, GOP weigh surtax on

wealthy, doubled deduction

By MARCY GORDON Tuesday while Trump per-
ANDREW TAYLOR sonally appealed to House
Associated Press Republicans and Demo-
WASHINGTON (AP) — Presi- crats at the White House to
dent Donald Trump and get behind his proposal.
congressional Republicans “We will cut taxes tremen-
are considering an in- dously for the middle class.
come tax surcharge on the Not just a little bit but tre-
wealthy and doubling the mendously,” Trump said as
standard deduction given he met with members of
to most Americans, with the tax-writing Ways and
the GOP under pressure Means Committee. He pre-
to overhaul the tax code dicted jobs “will be com-
after the collapse of the ing back in because we
health care repeal. have a non-competitive
On the eve of the grand tax structure right now and
rollout of the plan, details we’re going to go super
emerged on Capitol Hill on competitive.”q