“If [Republicans] would make the repeal of the law contingent upon the Congressional Budget Office certifying that it wouldn’t increase the deficit to repeal it,” Andrews (D-N.J.) said, “maybe that is something we could compromise on.”

The outgoing Education and Labor health subcommittee chairman, however, made it clear he thinks that’s highly unlikely. CBO, Andrews said, has already given an “authoritative opinion” that the bill reduces the deficit — “and they have not backed off that opinion at all.”