Thursday, the Senate took its first step toward an endgame to eventually repeal and replace ObamaCare.
(FOX)- The key for Republicans to repeal and replace the law is a plan to avoid Democratic filibusters. Republicans can achieve this by teeing up certain budget rules. Known as “budget reconciliation,” the process short-circuits filibusters.
This is the only way the GOP can prevent Democrats from derailing their goal. The Senate toiled on these first steps Wednesday and into the wee hours of Thursday morning.
Sens. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and Rob Portman, R-Ohio, also withdrew an amendment to the budget package to tap the brakes on the repeal and replace. They hoped to delay any budget reconciliation package until March 3, rather than a prospective deadline of Jan. 27.
“We simply must have a replacement and not a repeal,” said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. “Yes, they should be done about the same time. But I don’t see a comprehensive [health care] reform bill before the end of this month. That’s not feasible.”
At his press conference, President-elect Trump said Congress would repeal and replace “simultaneously.” He speculated it could even come “in the same hour.”
The president-elect added the plans will come together “as soon as our secretary is approved and gets into office. We’ll be filing a plan.”