Tag Archives: US Senate

The New York Times reports: The Senate on Wednesday rejected a measure that would have repealed major parts of the Affordable Care Act but would not have provided a replacement, signaling that the “clean repeal” bill that conservatives have embraced cannot get through Congress. The vote underscored the bind that Republican leaders have found themselves in. Repealing the health law …

Politico reports: President Donald Trump’s new plan to ban transgender people from the military is running into opposition from a key ally: Iowa GOP Sen. Joni Ernst. In a statement, a spokeswoman for the veteran said Ernst has served with people “from all different backgrounds” and that gender is not a vital indicator of someone’s military prowess. “She believes what …

“I don’t think anybody should be discriminating against anyone. Transgender people are people, and deserve the best we can do for them. I look forward to getting much more information and clarity from our military leaders about the policy the President tweeted today.” – Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, via press release.

ABC News reports: Around 11:30 today, the Senate is expected to vote on a straight repeal-only option based on 2015 piece of legislation that passed both chambers of Congress but was vetoed by then-President Barack Obama. Although that language cleared the House and Senate back then, some Senate Republicans acknowledge now that the vote was symbolic. It was used by …

The Associated Press reports: President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman will not be testifying Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, as originally scheduled, after the committee rescinded its subpoena. The committee withdrew its subpoena for Paul Manafort late Tuesday after Manafort agreed to turn over documents and to continue negotiating about setting up an interview with the panel, according to …

Business Insider breaks down what might happen: After a rush of confusion leading up to the vote, it appears that McConnell’s tactics are starting to come into view. Based on statements from various members, McConnell’s current plan is to allow a vote on an Obamacare repeal-only bill to go first and likely fail. Then, they will vote on the Better …

While listening to live audio from a Senate hearing, Hill reporter Niv Elis picked up an amusing exchange between an unidentified male Senator and GOP Sen. Susan Collins. The topic at hand was GOP House Rep. Blake Farenthold, who earlier this week offered to duel female GOP Senators “Aaron Burr-style” over their opposition to Trumpcare. After the male Senator assured …

ABC News reports: Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort has been issued a subpoena compelling him to participate in a hearing about Russian interference in the election. “While we were willing to accommodate Mr. Manafort’s request to cooperate with the committee’s investigation without appearing at Wednesday’s hearing, we were unable to reach an agreement for a voluntary transcribed interview with …

This morning Sen. Rand Paul appeared on Fox News to declare that he won’t be voting for a healthcare bill “that hasn’t been written and hasn’t been scored by the CBO.” Paul went on to blast the bill as a “pork fest” – which is a neat trick for a bill that hasn’t been written. More from ABC News: Should …

Raw Story reports: CNN host Alisyn Camerota could do nothing but laugh at Sen. Angus King (I-ME) when he revealed what information he had about the Republican health care bill that the Senate will vote on today. The Maine senator was completely silent. “Let me give you a quick synopsis of what I know about the bill that we’re going …

Politico reports: Senate Republicans are still hoping John McCain makes it to Tuesday’s crucial Obamacare repeal vote. The absence of the Arizona senator, who was diagnosed with brain cancer last week, has made getting 50 votes to start debate on the bill exceedingly difficult. GOP leaders are hoping he can surprise everyone and return Tuesday. “They were trying to get …

NBC News reports: An Alabama congressman running for Attorney General Jeff Session’s open Senate seat is facing criticism for a campaign ad that includes audio of the June shooting of a Louisiana lawmaker in a Virginia ball field. Five gun shots and frantic yelling from the shooting of House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., at a Republican congressional baseball …

The Washington Post reports: Jared Kushner, President Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law, plans to detail four meetings he had with Russian officials during the 2016 campaign and transition period — including one set up by Donald Trump Jr. with a Russian lawyer — but will deny any improper contacts or collusion in testimony to a congressional panel on Monday. Kushner …

The Associated Press reports: President Donald Trump’s eldest son and his former campaign chairman won’t testify publicly next week and are instead discussing being privately interviewed by a Senate committee investigating Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election, the panel said. The committee initially called for Donald Trump Jr. and Paul Manafort to appear publicly Wednesday. But the top Republican and …

NBC News reports: Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, has been diagnosed with brain cancer, the Mayo Clinic said Wednesday in a statement released on behalf of the senator and his family. “Subsequent tissue pathology revealed that a primary brain tumor known as a glioblastoma was associated with the blood clot,” the Mayo Clinic said in the statement. “The Senator and his …

CNBC reports: Repealing many Obamacare provisions would lead to 27 million uninsured in 2020, according to an estimate from the Congressional Budget Office published Wednesday. That figure would climb to 32 million by 2026, the CBO said in its new report. The CBO also projected that average premiums in the individual health insurance market would rise by about 25 percent …

The Week reports: President Trump was not subtle during a lunch for Senate Republicans at the White House on Wednesday, pressuring Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) to fall in line with the GOP’s health-care bill, The Hill reports. “[Heller] wants to remain a senator, doesn’t he?” Trump said, while seated directly beside Heller. Heller is one of 2018’s most vulnerable Republicans, …

Talking Points Memo reports: President Donald Trump attempted to give a boost to Republicans’ stalled Obamacare repeal effort Wednesday. But he seemed to acknowledge that his party had lost the messaging battle on health care to Democrats, who the President said “scream death,” presumably referring to Democrats’ framing of Republicans’ proposed overhaul of the health care system. Trump has invited …

Business Insider reports: Kansas senator Jerry Moran has been hounded by reporters since announcing Monday night that he wouldn’t vote for the Republican healthcare bill, the Better Care Reconciliation Act. When confronted by reporters on Tuesday on Capitol Hill, Moran opted to jump across the tracks of the Senate subway to get away from them. Moran, along with fellow Republican …

“I imagine many Democrats were celebrating last night. I hope they consider what they’re celebrating. The American people are hurting, they need relief, and it’s regretful that our Democratic colleagues decided early on that they did not want to engage with us seriously in the process to deliver that relief.” – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, blaming Democrats after the …