Administration

Trump blames Dems, ‘a few Republicans’ for collapse of healthcare bill

President Trump on Tuesday put blame on Democrats and “a few Republicans” for the collapse of the Senate GOP’s healthcare bill.

“We were let down by all of the Democrats and a few Republicans,” Trump tweeted.

“Most Republicans were loyal, terrific & worked really hard. We will return!”

Trump then raised the possibility of letting ObamaCare fail and then putting together a healthcare plan.

“As I have always said, let ObamaCare fail and then come together and do a great healthcare plan. Stay tuned!” Trump tweeted.

{mosads}His comments come hours after Republican Sens. Jerry Moran (Kan.) and Mike Lee (Utah) announced they would not support taking up a bill repealing and replacing ObamaCare, effectively blocking the legislation.

Republicans in the Senate are now short of having the support to pass their legislation, raising serious questions about whether Trump will achieve his goal of ending ObamaCare.

On Monday night, Trump suggested Republicans first repeal and then replace ObamaCare. 

“Republicans should just REPEAL failing ObamaCare now & work on a new Healthcare Plan that will start from a clean slate,” he said. “Dems will join in!”

Republican Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Rand Paul (Ky.) had previously spoken out against the Senate’s healthcare legislation.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said late Monday that the Senate will now try to separate the repeal and replace of ObamaCare.

“In the coming days, the Senate will vote to take up the House bill with the first amendment in order being what a majority of the Senate has already supported in 2015 and that was vetoed by then-President Obama: a repeal of Obamacare with a two-year delay to provide for a stable transition period,” McConnell said in a statement.

Some Republican senators have previously signaled their support for separating the repeal and replacement of ObamaCare.

This report was updated at 8:21 a.m.