Senate health care bill pulled until after break

June 28--Republicans tried to portray their decision to delay a vote on their health care bill until after the Fourth of July recess as merely a temporary obstacle, while Democrats declared partial victory that their protests are working.

"People in MA & across this country spoke out against this terrible 'healthcare' bill. Today, you proved that you made your voices heard," tweeted Bay State U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, adding that the legislation "comes back to life more often than the lead zombie in a horror movie."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Republicans they would not vote on the Obamacare replacement bill until after they return from their Independence Day break on July 10.

It came a day after the Congressional Budget Office, a non-partisan numbers-crunching agency, projected that 22 million more Americans would not have health insurance by 2026 compared to Obamacare.

That finding prompted dissent within the Republican ranks with several members, including Maine U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, saying they wouldn't even support a motion to advance the bill to the Senate floor.

With no Democrats on board, McConnell can only afford to lose two Republicans to pass the legislation, increasing the likelihood the Senate will release a new version.

Senate Republicans boarded buses and met with President Trump at the White House yesterday, emerging optimistic they could eventually get to yes.

"I think we had a good discussion," U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, one of the bill's vocal critics, told Fox News Channel. "I told the president I'm open to supporting it, but it has to get better. ... I think the president was open-minded about making the bill a better bill. ... I think I can work with him."

Paul said the current bill preserves too many Obamacare regulations and subsidies and doesn't represent a true repeal.

Collins on the other hand has decried the number of Americans who would lack insurance as well as cuts to Medicaid.

McConnell's challenge is somehow uniting opposite wings of his party.

Trump, who campaigned on his deal-making accolades, tried to reassure supporters the Republican deadlock was only a bump in the road.

"With ZERO Democrats to help, and a failed, expensive and dangerous ObamaCare as the Dems legacy, the Republican Senators are working hard!" Trump tweeted last night.

McConnell had hoped to hold a vote by the end of this week.

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