House Republicans would have "loved a vote" in the first 100 days of President Donald Trump's administration, but it won't take long after that time period, which ends Saturday, for lawmakers to finally vote on legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare, Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows said Friday.
"I was on the phone until almost 11 last night and we're just a few [votes] short," the North Carolina Republican told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program.
"We're just a few short. We're going to continue to work today and tomorrow. I fully anticipate that we'll have a vote in the coming days."
Meadows said he does not know that there will necessarily be many fundamental changes in the healthcare bill before it comes to a vote.
"If premiums come down for Americans, then we have succeeded," said Meadows. "It's making sure that those pre-existing conditions get protected and yet make it affordable for all Americans. This plan does that. And so as we look at going forward, it's all about just informing and helping educate our members so that they can make an informed decision."
Lawmakers who have read the bill are making their decisions based on their districts, and in the case of some moderates, their decision is a "no," and the bill is running "just a few votes shy," said Meadows.
The bill is not perfect, he admitted, as it does not fully repeal Obamacare and will likely have amendments added once it hits the Senate.
"I probably have talked to more senators on healthcare than any other member on the Hill," said Meadows.
"Sen. [John] Thune is working very hard on a tax credit issue that will actually lower premiums for those in their 50s and 60s . . . Sen. Ron Johnson is working on a couple of things that will actually make sure that premiums stay lower for those with pre-existing conditions."
The House bill, though, will "provide a good foundation, with a few amendments in the Senate, and will ultimately be signed into law by the president."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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