Pence visits Senate Republicans in push for healthcare bill

Vice President Pence met with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill Thursday in an effort to unify the conference on the GOP’s ObamaCare repeal-and-replace bill.

“Back at the Capitol this afternoon meeting with several senators who continue to work hard to repeal & replace Obamacare,” the vice president tweeted, along with photos of meetings with several senators expected to play key roles in the future of the legislation.

Back at the Capitol this afternoon meeting with several Senators who continue to work hard to repeal & replace Obamacare. pic.twitter.com/8BBsxkhCl0

— Vice President Pence (@VP) June 29, 2017

Pence is seen in the photos talking with Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), all “no” votes on the Senate’s original draft of the healthcare legislation.

{mosads}

Cruz was one of the first senators to speak out against the Senate plan, saying it does not do enough to lower healthcare costs. Cruz has since proposed an amendment that would allow insurers to sell plans that are not compliant with ObamaCare requirements.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said the bill’s deep cuts to Medicaid have pushed her to say no to the legislation in its current form. Capito has also expressed concerns about the bill’s ability to combat the opioid crisis.

Pence’s appearance on Capitol Hill is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing effort to push Senate Republicans to vote in favor of the repeal bill.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who was a main player in the drafting of the bill, can only afford to lose two Republicans in the vote, assuming all Democrats vote against the legislation. Pence could then be called in to cast a tie-breaker vote. 

So far, nine GOP senators have said they cannot vote for the legislation in its current form, according to The Hill’s Whip List. 

The public has also exerted pressure on senators. A recent USA Today/Suffolk University poll found that just 12 percent of Americans said they were in favor of the bill.