Sean Spicer doesn't know if Trump has seen a draft of Senate Republicans' health-care bill
Senate Republicans are apparently just one week away from a vote on their health-care bill, but White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer isn't sure President Trump has seen a draft copy of the bill. "I don't know that. I know that there was some chatter today. I know the president has been on the phone extensively with [Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell] and with key senators, so I don't know if he's seen the legislation or not," Spicer said Tuesday at a White House press briefing, his first on camera since June 12.
When asked why Senate Republicans are discussing the health-care bill behind closed doors, Spicer insisted it's because Democrats aren't interested in being part of the process. Democrats have repeatedly requested more transparency and called for open committee hearings on the bill.
McConnell, who along with his aides is writing the entirety of the bill, said Tuesday that he expects to have a "discussion draft" of the bill by Thursday and a score from the Congressional Budget Office by next week.
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