Senate

GOP senators want more time for ObamaCare repeal, replacement

by Jordain Carney - 01/09/17 7:00 PM ET

A group of GOP senators wants to extend the deadline for hashing out an ObamaCare repeal plan, arguing the move would also give lawmakers more time to work on a replacement.

GOP Sens. Bob Corker (Tenn.), Rob Portman (Ohio), Susan Collins (Maine), Bill Cassidy (La.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) filed an amendment on Monday that would give congressional committees until March 3 to come up with a repeal plan.

Under rules the Senate is expected to pass this week, which are attached to a shell budget resolution, lawmakers have until Jan. 27 to replace the healthcare law.

The lawmakers pushing the amendment argue that moving the deadline will help pave the way for a smoother and shorter transition from ObamaCare to a new healthcare law and give Congress more time to work with Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), who has been nominated to lead President-elect Donald Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services.

“By providing more time to come up with legislative solutions, we have a better opportunity to produce a thoughtful, workable replacement that ensures Americans have access to affordable, diverse insurance plans that meet their needs,” Collins said in a statement.

{mosads}Collins wants lawmakers to at least have a “detailed framework” for replacement before they vote to repeal ObamaCare.

A small but growing number of GOP lawmakers have voiced concerns about repealing the law without a replacement plan.

GOP leadership needs at least 50 votes, expected to all come from Republicans, to pass the rules to get rid of ObamaCare, as well as the separate stand-alone repeal legislation.

That means they can only afford to lose two GOP senators without having to try to flip Democrats or ask the vice president to potentially break a tie.

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) argued that GOP lawmakers should side with Trump, who backed moving repeal and replacement together during the White House race.

“By extending the deadline for budget reconciliation instructions until March, Congress and the incoming administration will each have additional time to get the policy right,” he said.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky) — who is expected to unveil his own ObamaCare replacement bill this week — said on Friday that Trump agrees with his push to replace the Affordable Care Act as they vote to repeal it.

The amendment comes as Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) told reporters on Monday that elements of a replacement could be included in Congress’s repeal bill.

“I hope so, we’re actually looking to try to find some way to do that,” Cornyn said, without providing details on what could be included.

Tags Bob Corker Donald Trump John Cornyn Lisa Murkowski Rand Paul Rob Portman Susan Collins