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News and updates

Repeal Now, Replace Later?

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Yesterday evening, two more Republican Senators– Mike Lee of Utah and Jerry Moran of Kansas– jointly announced their opposition to the Senate healthcare bill that was being push forward by the Republican leadership.  Their statements increased the number of Senate Republicans opposing the bill to four, with Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky being the other two.  With all Democrats opposed to the bill, the announcements from Lee and Moran have forced Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to abandon his plans on the bill.

Last evening, Leader McConnell announced that, as a result, he will pursue a straight repeal of the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) with the repeal kicking in after two years to allow, in theory, lawmakers and the White House to draft and implement a new plan to prevent individuals from losing coverage.  It remains to be seen how much support such a strategy has.

This week in Congress, July 17-21

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Here is a selection of committee meetings taking place on the Hill this week.

TUESDAY, JULY 18

Senate Appropriations
ENERGY-WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS
July 18, 2:30 p.m., 192 Dirksen Bldg.
Subcommittee Markup

House Science, Space & Technology
NASA PLANETARY FLAGSHIP MISSIONS
July 18, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn Bldg.
Subcommittee Hearing

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19

House Natural Resources
MAGNUSON-STEVENS FISHERY CONSERVATION REVIEW
July 19, 2 p.m., 1324 Longworth Bldg.
Subcommittee Hearing

House Science, Space & Technology
ENERGY INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY
July 19, 10 a.m., 2318 Rayburn Bldg.
Full Committee Hearing

House Ways & Means
TAX REFORM
July 19, 2 p.m., 1100 Longworth Bldg.
Subcommittee Hearing

THURSDAY, JULY 20

House Small Business
RURAL TELEHEALTH SERVICES
July 20, 10 a.m., 2360 Rayburn Bldg.
Subcommittee Hearing

Will a Massive 12-bill Spending Package Move?

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The House Republican leadership this week is planning to check with their rank-and-file members on their level of receptivity to idea of moving a massive 12-bill omnibus appropriations package for the upcoming FY2018 before the August recess.  The notion of combining all 12 annual spending measures for FY2018 and moving them together as a piece of legislation had been floated earlier this summer by a member of the Appropriations Committee and seems to have some support among the leadership. Members of the leadership team are expected to gauge the level of support for this idea within the rest of the Republican conference this week before deciding on whether to pursue this course of action.

Even if there is enough support for this strategy among the House Republicans, the funding levels called for in such a legislative package– which calls for spending levels above current law for defense and cuts for non-defense programs– will require cooperation from Democrats in order to become reality.

Senate Floor Action on Healthcare Bill Delayed

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced late Saturday that the Senate consideration of the revised healthcare legislation will be postponed.  Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) had a blood clot removed on Friday and is not expected to return to the Senate the week of July 17.  With two members who have already publicly declared their opposition to the measure, the Senate Republicans have no votes to spare.  Floor consideration of the bill will be delayed until Sen. McCain returns to Washington.