Trump demands that Republicans pursue replacement of ObamaCare, even though Senate bill has little chance of passing


Developments on Day 181 of the Trump Administration:

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Trump Flips Twice Within 48 Hours on Healthcare

Donald Trump changes his approach yet again on the GOP’s near-death healthcare bill, insisting that Republican Senators push through the legislation next month.

Trump had said on Monday, after it became apparent that the bill would not succeed in a Senate vote, that he would now just let ObamaCare — and thus the US healthcare system — collapse without a replacement.

See TrumpWatch, Day 180: Trump — I’ll Tear Down the Healthcare System

But in a Tuesday lunch meeting with the GOP senators, Trump declared:

Inaction is not an option and frankly, I don’t think we should leave town unless we have a health insurance plan, unless we can give our people great health care because we are close, we are very close.

Trump also used social media to enjoin Republicans to persist in the effort to replace ObamaCare, while distancing himself by referring to “they” and “their” promises.

In an unusual moment, he appeared to threaten Dean Heller of Nevada, an opponent of the GOP bill who happened to be sitting next to Trump:

This was the one we were worried about. You weren’t there. But you’re gonna be. You’re gonna be. Look, he wants to remain a senator, doesn’t he? And I think the people of your state, which I know very well, I think they’re gonna appreciate what you hopefully will do. Any senator who votes against starting debate is really telling America that you’re fine with Obamacare. But being fine with Obamacare isn’t enough for another reason. Because it’s gone. It’s failed. It’s not gonna be around.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that the White House is pursuing an effort to replace Arizona’s Jeff Flake, interviewing three candidates to challenge him in the 2018 Republican primary.


Head of Trump’s Voter Fraud Panel: 2016 Victory May Not Be Legitimate

The head of Donald Trump’s voter fraud panel, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, has said Trump’s 2016 victory may not be legitimate.

Kobach was pushed into the statement on Wednesday in an interview with MSNBC News. He was trying to back up Trump’s unsupported assertion that “millions” of Americans voted illegally in the November ballot.

Kobach proclaimed that this raised questions over Hillary Clinton’s win in the popular vote but then had to face Katy Tur’s question if this did not also cast doubt on Trump’s advantage in the Electoral College.