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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2017/jul/27/us-healthcare-vote-live-updates-senate-republicans-affordable-care-act
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Republican quartet will only vote for skinny repeal if assured it won't become law – live | Republican quartet will only vote for skinny repeal if assured it won't become law – live |
(35 minutes later) | |
1.59am BST | |
01:59 | |
McCain Says Ryan's Statement Is Not Sufficient | |
Entering the Senate, John McCain told reporters that Ryan’s statement was “not sufficient” for the Arizonan to vote for skinny repeal. | |
With Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski opposed, the 52 member Republican conference cannot afford a single defection on the bill. | |
Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin also approached Ryan’s statement skeptically. | |
Ron Johnson says he appreciates Ryan's statement on skinny but adds: "The Speaker only has so much power in what he can actually assure." | |
However, one skeptical Senate Republican has been comforted by Ryan’s statement. David Perdue of Georgia told reporters “I am taking a chance on this skinny bill. I would not want the skinny bill to become law. . . I think the reassurance from Paul Ryan tonight is good enough for me.” | |
Updated | |
at 2.00am BST | |
1.40am BST | |
01:40 | |
The Senate now voting yet again. This round of votes includes a Democratic attempt to shelve the bill. It is likely to fail. However, it marks the start of what will be a late night on Capitol Hill. | |
1.10am BST | 1.10am BST |
01:10 | 01:10 |
If you want to catch up with the Guardian’s latest writeup of what’s happening on Capitol Hill, check it out right here. | If you want to catch up with the Guardian’s latest writeup of what’s happening on Capitol Hill, check it out right here. |
1.09am BST | 1.09am BST |
01:09 | 01:09 |
Democrats are now on the Senate floor warning that whatever is passed tonight will become law and citing Republican criticism of it. | Democrats are now on the Senate floor warning that whatever is passed tonight will become law and citing Republican criticism of it. |
As Chris Murphy from Connecticut said “This isn’t going to conference, this is becoming law.” | As Chris Murphy from Connecticut said “This isn’t going to conference, this is becoming law.” |
12.37am BST | 12.37am BST |
00:37 | 00:37 |
It’s dinner time on Capitol Hill as there is still an hour left to go before the vote-a-rama can begin. | It’s dinner time on Capitol Hill as there is still an hour left to go before the vote-a-rama can begin. |
Each party has its own separate dinner | Each party has its own separate dinner |
Btw, Senate dinners tonight:Tex-Mex for RsChinese for Dems | Btw, Senate dinners tonight:Tex-Mex for RsChinese for Dems |
The scene of Chipotle wafting through the Senate corridors. Big spread brought in for all-night session on health care | The scene of Chipotle wafting through the Senate corridors. Big spread brought in for all-night session on health care |
Reporters are still relying on the Senate carryout inside the Capitol. One of the options there is Senate Bean Soup, which has been served every day for over a century. This picture is courtesy of the Guardian’s Lois Beckett | Reporters are still relying on the Senate carryout inside the Capitol. One of the options there is Senate Bean Soup, which has been served every day for over a century. This picture is courtesy of the Guardian’s Lois Beckett |
Just another night of appetizing options in the senate pic.twitter.com/ugcxC1nhul | Just another night of appetizing options in the senate pic.twitter.com/ugcxC1nhul |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.41am BST | at 12.41am BST |
12.29am BST | 12.29am BST |
00:29 | 00:29 |
Paul Ryan: 'The only path is for the Senate to pass the legislation' | Paul Ryan: 'The only path is for the Senate to pass the legislation' |
Speaker Paul Ryan just issued a somewhat vague statement on the House’s willingness to go to conference on whatever the Senate passes. | Speaker Paul Ryan just issued a somewhat vague statement on the House’s willingness to go to conference on whatever the Senate passes. |
“It is now obvious that the only path ahead is for the Senate to pass the narrow legislation that it is currently considering. This package includes important reforms like eliminating the job-killing employer mandate and the requirement that forces people to purchase coverage they don’t want. Still it is not enough to solve the many failures of Obamacare. Senators have made clear that this is an effort to keep the process alive, not to make law. If moving forward requires a conference committee, that is something the House is willing to do. The reality, however, is that repealing and replacing Obamacare still ultimately requires the Senate to produce 51 votes for an actual plan. The House remains committed to finding a solution and working with our Senate colleagues, but the burden remains on the Senate to demonstrate that it is capable of passing something that keeps our promise, as the House has already done. Until the Senate can do that, we will never be able to develop a conference report that becomes law. We expect the Senate to act first on whatever the conference committee produces. Obamacare is collapsing and hurting American families. We have to keep working at this until we get the job done.” | “It is now obvious that the only path ahead is for the Senate to pass the narrow legislation that it is currently considering. This package includes important reforms like eliminating the job-killing employer mandate and the requirement that forces people to purchase coverage they don’t want. Still it is not enough to solve the many failures of Obamacare. Senators have made clear that this is an effort to keep the process alive, not to make law. If moving forward requires a conference committee, that is something the House is willing to do. The reality, however, is that repealing and replacing Obamacare still ultimately requires the Senate to produce 51 votes for an actual plan. The House remains committed to finding a solution and working with our Senate colleagues, but the burden remains on the Senate to demonstrate that it is capable of passing something that keeps our promise, as the House has already done. Until the Senate can do that, we will never be able to develop a conference report that becomes law. We expect the Senate to act first on whatever the conference committee produces. Obamacare is collapsing and hurting American families. We have to keep working at this until we get the job done.” |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.58am BST | at 12.58am BST |
12.13am BST | 12.13am BST |
00:13 | 00:13 |
The drama is building over what will happen in the House. The Guardian’s Lauren Gambino can confirm that House Republicans who hold a meeting at 9AM tomorrow morning, according to a senior GOP aide. | The drama is building over what will happen in the House. The Guardian’s Lauren Gambino can confirm that House Republicans who hold a meeting at 9AM tomorrow morning, according to a senior GOP aide. |
Meanwhile, we expect a statement from Speaker Paul Ryan’s office tonight. It’s unclear what he will say but earlier we were told the Speaker would consult with House Republicans before making any decisions on healthcare. | Meanwhile, we expect a statement from Speaker Paul Ryan’s office tonight. It’s unclear what he will say but earlier we were told the Speaker would consult with House Republicans before making any decisions on healthcare. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.18am BST | at 12.18am BST |
12.02am BST | 12.02am BST |
00:02 | 00:02 |
In case you were hoping it would be an early night | In case you were hoping it would be an early night |
Cornyn offers guidance on the timing of the vote-a-rama & healthcare vote: "Late" | Cornyn offers guidance on the timing of the vote-a-rama & healthcare vote: "Late" |
11.21pm BST | 11.21pm BST |
23:21 | 23:21 |
Lauren Gambino | Lauren Gambino |
In contrast to other House Republicans, Mark Meadows, the chair of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, told reporters that “skinny repeal” would not pass the lower chamber. | In contrast to other House Republicans, Mark Meadows, the chair of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, told reporters that “skinny repeal” would not pass the lower chamber. |
“If it comes over with just minimal elements of a replacement, there is not enough votes to send it to the president,” said the North Carolina Republican. | “If it comes over with just minimal elements of a replacement, there is not enough votes to send it to the president,” said the North Carolina Republican. |
He also said he didn’t like calling it a “skinny repeal”. | He also said he didn’t like calling it a “skinny repeal”. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.18am BST | at 12.18am BST |
11.17pm BST | 11.17pm BST |
23:17 | 23:17 |
Lauren Gambino | Lauren Gambino |
Per a senior House leadership aide, Paul Ryan will “consult before making any decisions” on putting “skinny repeal” to a vote or going to a conference committee | Per a senior House leadership aide, Paul Ryan will “consult before making any decisions” on putting “skinny repeal” to a vote or going to a conference committee |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.42am BST | at 12.42am BST |
10.48pm BST | 10.48pm BST |
22:48 | 22:48 |
Senators will only vote for bill if assured it won't become law | Senators will only vote for bill if assured it won't become law |
Right now, the situation on Capitol Hill is that the “skinny repeal” will not pass if it appears there is any chance for it to become law. If assured that it will be junked in a conference committee after passage, the bill may receive support from a majority of senators. | Right now, the situation on Capitol Hill is that the “skinny repeal” will not pass if it appears there is any chance for it to become law. If assured that it will be junked in a conference committee after passage, the bill may receive support from a majority of senators. |
If you are confused, you should be. But this is American politics in 2017. | If you are confused, you should be. But this is American politics in 2017. |
Updated | Updated |
at 10.53pm BST | at 10.53pm BST |
10.28pm BST | 10.28pm BST |
22:28 | 22:28 |
Graham calls skinny repeal 'a fraud' | Graham calls skinny repeal 'a fraud' |
In their press conference, the three senators (now joined by Bill Cassidy of Louisiana) are making clear that they will not vote for “skinny repeal” unless they are assured that it will not become law. | In their press conference, the three senators (now joined by Bill Cassidy of Louisiana) are making clear that they will not vote for “skinny repeal” unless they are assured that it will not become law. |
Graham was particularly scathing about clean repeal, calling it “a fraud” as well as “terrible policy and horrible policy.” | Graham was particularly scathing about clean repeal, calling it “a fraud” as well as “terrible policy and horrible policy.” |
If the skinny bill were to become law, Graham said it “politically would be the dumbest thing in history”. | If the skinny bill were to become law, Graham said it “politically would be the dumbest thing in history”. |
Senator Ron Johnson, of Wisconsin, offered an apology to voters, conceding that the Republicans have failed to fulfill seven years of promises to repeal the healthcare law. | Senator Ron Johnson, of Wisconsin, offered an apology to voters, conceding that the Republicans have failed to fulfill seven years of promises to repeal the healthcare law. |
“I’m sorry that the skinny bill in the Senate doesn’t even come close to our promise of repealing Obamacare,” Johnson said. | “I’m sorry that the skinny bill in the Senate doesn’t even come close to our promise of repealing Obamacare,” Johnson said. |
Updated | Updated |
at 12.26am BST | at 12.26am BST |
10.10pm BST | 10.10pm BST |
22:10 | 22:10 |
Lauren Gambino | Lauren Gambino |
While senators are freaking out about the potential of the House voting on “skinny repeal,” some members of Congress are more open to it. | While senators are freaking out about the potential of the House voting on “skinny repeal,” some members of Congress are more open to it. |
Chris Collins, a moderate Trump ally from upstate New York, compared the choice on skinny repeal to the 2016 election. “This becomes not unlike Trump and Clinton, there was not a third candidate. There wasn’t going to be another choice. It was a binary choice. People voted. This would be a similar type of situation.” | Chris Collins, a moderate Trump ally from upstate New York, compared the choice on skinny repeal to the 2016 election. “This becomes not unlike Trump and Clinton, there was not a third candidate. There wasn’t going to be another choice. It was a binary choice. People voted. This would be a similar type of situation.” |
10.04pm BST | 10.04pm BST |
22:04 | 22:04 |
Graham, McCain and Ron Johnson to hold a press conference soon | Graham, McCain and Ron Johnson to hold a press conference soon |
Lindsey Graham, John McCain and Ron Johnson just announced a press conference to be held in 15 minutes on “skinny repeal.” | Lindsey Graham, John McCain and Ron Johnson just announced a press conference to be held in 15 minutes on “skinny repeal.” |
All three have been deeply skeptical of the bill so far and Graham has insisted that he would not back skinny repeal without the guarantee of a conference committee. It’s unlikely that they will unilaterally torpedo the bill. | All three have been deeply skeptical of the bill so far and Graham has insisted that he would not back skinny repeal without the guarantee of a conference committee. It’s unlikely that they will unilaterally torpedo the bill. |
Updated | Updated |
at 10.25pm BST | at 10.25pm BST |
9.53pm BST | 9.53pm BST |
21:53 | 21:53 |
In case you’re in need of Twitter jokes from octogenarian Utahns in the Senate, Orrin Hatch is making them and looking to vote-a-rama that supposedly occurred back when Congress met in Annapolis, Maryland (and only had one chamber since the United States was still governed by the Articles of Confederation). | In case you’re in need of Twitter jokes from octogenarian Utahns in the Senate, Orrin Hatch is making them and looking to vote-a-rama that supposedly occurred back when Congress met in Annapolis, Maryland (and only had one chamber since the United States was still governed by the Articles of Confederation). |
The vote-a-rama we had on the Treaty of Paris was quite the hootenanny. https://t.co/pU4bMXxf2s | The vote-a-rama we had on the Treaty of Paris was quite the hootenanny. https://t.co/pU4bMXxf2s |
Updated | Updated |
at 10.00pm BST | at 10.00pm BST |
9.47pm BST | 9.47pm BST |
21:47 | 21:47 |
Health care isn’t the only thing that the Senate is voting on today. The chamber is expected to vote around 5pm on a final version of new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea. The bill was approved by the House earlier this week and has been opposed by the White House because it limits Trump’s authority to lift sanctions against Russia without congressional approval. The President has yet to make clear whether he will sign it. An earlier version of the bill passed the Senate by a vote of 98-2. | Health care isn’t the only thing that the Senate is voting on today. The chamber is expected to vote around 5pm on a final version of new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea. The bill was approved by the House earlier this week and has been opposed by the White House because it limits Trump’s authority to lift sanctions against Russia without congressional approval. The President has yet to make clear whether he will sign it. An earlier version of the bill passed the Senate by a vote of 98-2. |
Updated | Updated |
at 10.01pm BST | at 10.01pm BST |
9.39pm BST | 9.39pm BST |
21:39 | 21:39 |
The chair of the influential Republican Study Committee has trashed “skinny repeal” on Twitter. | The chair of the influential Republican Study Committee has trashed “skinny repeal” on Twitter. |
The "skinny repeal" deal is ugly to the bone. | The "skinny repeal" deal is ugly to the bone. |
This is, counterintuitively, actually a good sign for its passage as many Republican senators are hesitant to vote for it because they are afraid that the House might pass it. | This is, counterintuitively, actually a good sign for its passage as many Republican senators are hesitant to vote for it because they are afraid that the House might pass it. |
9.34pm BST | 9.34pm BST |
21:34 | 21:34 |
Lindsey Graham trashes skinny repeal bill | Lindsey Graham trashes skinny repeal bill |
Lauren Gambino | Lauren Gambino |
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina trashed the “skinny repeal” bill to reporters earlier today. “The worst possible outcome is to pass something that most of us believe is a placeholder and it becomes the final product,” said Graham. | Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina trashed the “skinny repeal” bill to reporters earlier today. “The worst possible outcome is to pass something that most of us believe is a placeholder and it becomes the final product,” said Graham. |
He added “trying to fix it later is a nonstarter because this placeholder concept - the skinny bill-would destroy insurance markets and not even remotely replace Obamacare.” | He added “trying to fix it later is a nonstarter because this placeholder concept - the skinny bill-would destroy insurance markets and not even remotely replace Obamacare.” |
Updated | Updated |
at 9.53pm BST | at 9.53pm BST |