Trump shirks responsibility for flailing GOP health bill, implores Senate to pass it

President Trump at the G-20 summit
(Image credit: Getty Images)

It seems President Trump wants to make sure that if the GOP attempt to repeal and replace ObamaCare fails yet again, the American people know who to blame. And it isn't him.

Early Friday morning, Trump sent a series of tweets imploring Republican senators to "come through as they have promised!" and said he would be waiting, pen in hand, to sign the newly revised bill, which was released Thursday. He even called out Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) by name, in case anyone forgets who the ringleader of this effort is:

On Wednesday, Trump said he would be "very angry" if Senate Republicans don't pass their ObamaCare repeal and replacement. But it looks like even the threat of the president's wrath may not be enough to save the bill. Immediately after the new version of the bill was released Thursday, three Republican senators — Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) — said they would not vote for it. Just two "no" votes will kill the bill.

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Although if threatening won't work, maybe a little flattery will? Jessica Hullinger

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Jessica Hullinger

Jessica Hullinger is a writer and former deputy editor of The Week Digital. Originally from the American Midwest, she completed a degree in journalism at Indiana University Bloomington before relocating to New York City, where she pursued a career in media. After joining The Week as an intern in 2010, she served as the title’s audience development manager, senior editor and deputy editor, as well as a regular guest on “The Week Unwrapped” podcast. Her writing has featured in other publications including Popular Science, Fast Company, Fortune, and Self magazine, and she loves covering science and climate-related issues.