Cornyn: Passing Senate healthcare bill by July 4 ‘optimistic’

Sen Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) on Sunday said passing the upper chamber’s healthcare legislation by the Fourth of July recess is “optimistic.” 

“It’s not going to get any easier,” Cornyn said at a Koch network summit, the Los Angeles Times reported. “We don’t have the luxury of waiting around.”

{mosads}Members of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) leadership team have said they want a vote on the legislation to repeal and replace ObamaCare as early as this week, before the chamber closes for the holiday. But with five senators opposing the draft, its chance of passage is in question. 

McConnell has little margin for error, as he can afford just two defections from his conference with all Democrats expected to oppose the bill. Vice President Mike Pence could then be called in to break the tie.

At the summit Sunday, Cornyn reportedly said, “It’s going to be close.”

Conservative lawmakers have expressed concerns that the bill does not repeal enough ObamaCare provisions, while moderate lawmakers are worried about the cuts to Medicaid.