The new amendment by Rep. Tom MacArthur, a leader of the moderate Tuesday Group, has shifted the health care bill substantially to the right. It’s not everything conservatives wanted on loosening the ACA’s insurance mandates, but there’s more in it for them than for moderates.
The endorsement of the conservative Freedom Caucus was big step forward for Republicans, since they were some of the main holdouts. That may be bringing Republicans closer to 216 votes. “Making progress,” one leadership aide said last night.
But it’s not bringing any moderate Republicans on board. It may even be losing some: Rep. Mike Coffman, a supporter of the original bill, is now undecided, according to multiple reports. (The Hill has a good whip list.)
A Friday vote is looking less likely now, but not impossible.
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