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U.S. NEWS Friday 21 april 2017
White House pushes uncertain bid to revive health care bill

ALAN FRAM that the House would vote
JULIE PACE next week on the health
Associated Press legislation.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ea- They cited the higher prior-
ger for a victory, the White ity of passing a spending
House expressed confi- bill within days to avert a
dence Thursday that a government shutdown,
breakthrough on the mired uncertainty over details
Republican health care bill of the developing health
could emerge in the House agreement and a need to
next week. The chamber’s sell it to lawmakers.
GOP leaders, burned by Trump said he planned to
a March debacle on the get “both” a health care
measure, were dubious deal and a spending bill.
and signs were scant that Many Republicans also
an emerging plan was expressed doubts that the
gaining enough votes to health care compromise
succeed. would win over enough
During a White House news lawmakers to put the bill
conference, Trump said over the top, especially
progress was being made among moderates. The
on a “great plan” for over- bill would repeal President
hauling the nation’s health Barack Obama’s health
care system, though he House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. discusses the Republican agenda during a news conference on care law and replace it
provided no details. Capitol Hill in Washington. Eager for a victory, the White House expressed confidence Thursday with less generous subsi-
“We have a good chance that a breakthrough on the mired Republican health care bill could emerge in the House next dies and eased insurance
of getting it soon,” Trump week. requirements.q
said. “I’d like to say next (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
week.” acknowledged that it was
The White House optimism unclear how many votes
is driven largely by a deal Republicans had, but said
brokered by leaders of House Speaker Paul Ryan,
the conservative Freedom R-Wis., has told the White
Caucus and the moderate House that a vote could
Tuesday Group aimed at come together quickly.
giving states more flexibil- Yet GOP lawmakers and
ity to pull out of “Obam- aides to party leaders,
acare” provisions. A se- conservatives and moder-
nior White House official ates alike were skeptical

Trump, Italy’s Gentiloni talk

Trade and security matters

Continued from Front the United States out of the
Trans-Pacific Partnership,
The attack prompted a pact he said was “a di-
Trump to launch missile saster.” In addition, he said
strikes on a Syrian airfield. this week he would make
Gentiloni noted the Italy “some very big changes”
and America’s “common to the North American Free
commitment against ter- Trade Agreement with
rorism,” which he said re- Canada and Mexico or
quires social and econom- “we are going to get rid
ic collaboration with Mus- of NAFTA for once and for
lim communities in order to all.” Trump favors bilateral
be effective. trade deals and has used
With Italy set to host a trade as a tool for pressur-
G-7 summit next month, ing countries to do more
Gentiloni can shape the on national security mat-
agenda on behalf of other ters. That was evident most
European leaders wary of recently with his public
Trump’s position on some statements promising Chi-
long-standing agreements. na a “better” trade ar-
Gentiloni has strongly criti- rangement if Beijing cracks
cized protectionist trade down on North Korea.
policies, such as those pro- Italy has suffered sluggish
posed by Trump’s admin- economic growth and
istration, that advocate was a staunch backer of
shielding a country’s do- a proposed U.S.-European
mestic industries from for- free trade agreement ne-
eign competition by taxing gotiated by the Obama
imports. Trump has pulled administration.q