Donald Trump faces a reckoning Thursday as US lawmakers vote on his presidency's biggest legislative test, the Republican plan to repeal and replace Obamacare, as conservatives vowed to kill it unless important last-minute changes are made. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives votes on the controversial measure despite challenges over whether Trump and ally House Speaker Paul Ryan have enough backing to get the measure over the finish line.
With Democrats opposed to Trump's effort to rip out his predecessor's crowning domestic policy achievement, and his own party's right flank in revolt, Trump brought in wavering lawmakers Wednesday to try to tip the scales in his favour. "Big day for healthcare. Working hard!" Trump tweeted.
Insiders say Trump's meetings have been focused less on specifics than on the politics of "Trumpcare" failing - an outcome that would be a humiliating defeat for the billionaire leader at the start of his term. But some lawmakers have emerged defiant, including Mark Meadows, chairman of the grassroots conservative Freedom Caucus. "We need changes to the underlying bill before we vote on it in the House," Meadows told reporters.
"There's not enough votes to pass it tomorrow." Speaking on Fox News later Wednesday Meadows said that "to say that we've got a deal - that wouldn't be accurate," but did say that he and Trump had come to "an agreement in principle." "There's still work to be done but I can tell you that the president is engaged." For years, Republicans have promised to overturn Obama's reform, describing it as government overreach. But some lawmakers have balked at their own party's plan, saying it is still too costly for the government.
Others worry that their constituents will no longer be able to afford health insurance. A non-partisan congressional budget estimate says 14 million Americans would lose their coverage from next year under the Republican plan. "We'll see what happens," Trump said Wednesday during a meeting on health care and women.
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