Republicans scrap vote on Senate health-care bill


Senate Republicans decided Tuesday that they will not vote on their health-care bill after efforts to garner support for the legislation fell short, Politico reports.
The bill, named for co-sponsors Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.), appeared doomed on Monday when moderate Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) joined conservative Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in opposition. With three Republicans as solid no votes, the GOP can't muster the 50 votes it would need to pass the proposal with the help of Vice President Mike Pence as a tie-breaking vote. Republicans have a Sept. 30 deadline for passing a health-care bill with only 50 votes, with no Democrats.
In a speech Tuesday, Graham said he has not given up on the bill. "We're coming back to [health care] after taxes," he said. Watch below. Jeva Lange
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
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