Mitch McConnell urges Republicans not to give up after health-care bill crashes and burns

On the Senate floor Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) mourned his failed health-care plan. "I regret that the effort to repeal and immediately replace the failures of ObamaCare will not be successful," McConnell said, after he enumerated the shortcomings of ObamaCare. Senate Republicans' plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare sputtered to its death Monday night after two more GOP senators, Mike Lee (Utah) and Jerry Moran (Kan.), came out against it.
However, McConnell insisted that his plan's failure to get enough support to move forward does not mean that Republicans "should give up." "We will now try a different way to bring the American people relief from ObamaCare," McConnell said.
He explained that "in the coming days" the Senate will vote on a repeal of ObamaCare "combined with a stable, two-year transition period as we work toward patient-centered health care." McConnell noted this was the same repeal legislation that the Senate voted for in 2015, but that former President Barack Obama then vetoed.
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.
McConnell also snuck in a scolding of his Senate Democratic colleagues for deciding "early on that they did not want to engage with us seriously." "I imagine many Democrats were celebrating last night. I hope they consider what they are celebrating," McConnell said, making clear this failure "doesn't have to be the end of the story."
He assured Democrats that voting for a straight repeal of ObamaCare would offer them the "bipartisan solutions" they've been wanting, by creating an "opportunity for senators of all parties to engage with a fresh start."
Catch a snippet of McConnell's speech below. Becca Stanek
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 cracking cartoons about the new Cracker Barrel logo
Cartoons Artists take on MAGA designs, real issues, and more
-
Should you downsize for retirement? Here's what to consider.
The Explainer Moving to a smaller place may seem easier, but there are also some real benefits to staying put
-
What to do if you want to move but don't want to give up your low mortgage rate
the explainer 30-year mortgage rates are currently averaging 7% — and homeowners who secured rates closer to 3% during the pandemic are reluctant to sell their homes
-
Texas declares end to measles outbreak
Speed Read The vaccine-preventable disease is still spreading in neighboring states, Mexico and Canada
-
RFK Jr. shuts down mRNA vaccine funding at agency
Speed Read The decision canceled or modified 22 projects, primarily for work on vaccines and therapeutics for respiratory viruses
-
Measles cases surge to 33-year high
Speed Read The infection was declared eliminated from the US in 2000 but has seen a resurgence amid vaccine hesitancy
-
Kennedy's vaccine panel signals skepticism, change
Speed Read RFK Jr.'s new vaccine advisory board intends to make changes to the decades-old US immunization system
-
Kennedy ousts entire CDC vaccine advisory panel
speed read Health Secretary RFK Jr. is a longtime anti-vaccine activist who has criticized the panel of experts
-
RFK Jr. scraps Covid shots for pregnant women, kids
Speed Read The Health Secretary announced a policy change without informing CDC officials
-
New FDA chiefs limit Covid-19 shots to elderly, sick
speed read The FDA set stricter approval standards for booster shots
-
US overdose deaths plunged 27% last year
speed read Drug overdose still 'remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-44,' said the CDC