WASHINGTON — With a strong, last-minute push from President Donald Trump, Senate Republicans face a pivotal vote Tuesday in their long bid to repeal or replace Obamacare.
Although the outcome remained in doubt, largely because senators have not even been told which of the various GOP plans will be considered, the repeal effort got a boost Monday when Sen. John McCain’s office said the ailing Arizona Republican will return to the Senate on Tuesday.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has kept the process highly secretive as he tries to find a path forward amid stark opposition within his Republican majority, and no backing from Democrats. He has only two Republican votes to spare.
Many GOP senators are reluctant to begin formal debate on the Affordable Care Act without knowing where the process will end.
Trump warned senators Monday that Tuesday’s planned “motion to proceed” — the first legislative hurdle to passing a Senate bill — could be Republicans’ “last chance” to undo the Affordable Care Act.
He warned in a tweet that “the repercussions will be far greater than any of them understand!” — hinting of political fallout for senators who vote against the measure.
“Any senator who votes against starting debate is telling America that you are fine with the Obamacare nightmare,” Trump said during an event at the White House.
“For Senate Republicans this is their chance to keep their promise. Over and over again they said ‘repeal and replace, repeal and replace,’” he said. “There’s been enough talk and no action. Now is the time for action.”
Also Monday, Trump jokingly threatened to fire Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price if the repeal effort fails.
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