Republican congressman says the GOP 'hasn't figured out yet how to be the governing party'

Republicans' health-care meltdown prompted a moment of unbridled honesty from GOP Rep. Chris Collins (N.Y.). On Friday, as the GOP tried yet again to prepare for its vote on the GOP-backed health-care bill, Collins suggested that maybe his party just wasn't yet ready for the task of running the government. "Our conference hasn't figured out yet how to be the governing party," Collins said, per Bloomberg's Sahil Kapur.
On the heels of President Trump's ultimatum to Republicans late Thursday to either pass the American Health Care Act on Friday or be stuck with ObamaCare, Collins said tensions are at an all-time high. "I've never seen this before," Collins said. "People are just refusing to talk to each other. They're storming past each other."
When asked what the chances of a straight ObamaCare repeal would be if the AHCA does not pass today, Collins left little room for hope. "Oh, that would get about 50 votes," he said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Republicans need to get 215 votes to pass their health-care bill Friday.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What will security guarantees for Ukraine look like?
Today's big question From boots on the ground to economic sanctions, here are the measures that might stop Russia taking another bite out of Ukraine
-
The US Open's controversial 'superstars' doubles format
Talking Point New shortened competition attracts star pairings and bigger audiences to grand slam tennis event
-
Crossword: August 21, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
-
Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's ills
Speed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future'
-
Trump to host Kennedy Honors for Kiss, Stallone
Speed Read Actor Sylvester Stallone and the glam-rock band Kiss were among those named as this year's inductees
-
White House seeks to bend Smithsonian to Trump's view
Speed Read The Smithsonian Institution's 21 museums are under review to ensure their content aligns with the president's interpretation of American history
-
Charlamagne Tha God irks Trump with Epstein talk
Speed Read The radio host said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal could help 'traditional conservatives' take back the Republican Party
-
CBS cancels Colbert's 'Late Show'
Speed Read 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is ending next year
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposes
speed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show