Sens. Alexander, Corker back decision to delay vote on Obamacare repeal

June 28--WASHINGTON -- Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker applauded GOP leaders Tuesday for delaying a vote on legislation to repeal and replace key parts of the Affordable Care Act until after the Fourth of July holiday.

Alexander, who was part of the working group that helped craft the legislation, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., made the right call in postponing a vote on the bill.

"Senator McConnell made a wise decision today to delay voting on the Senate health care bill and give senators time to reach an agreement, because senators are actually closer to an agreement than it might appear," said Alexander, who is chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

"There are some differences remaining," Alexander said, "but this issue is important enough to the country that if we need another few days to get it right, we ought to do that."

Corker said he also agreed with the delay.

"This is important and will affect people in very real ways," he said of the bill. "Delaying the vote shows that we understand that and want to get it right. We will continue working over the next several days to improve this legislation and resolve a number of legitimate issues."

Rep. Jim Cooper, a Nashville Democrat who opposed the bill, said that while the delay is good news, "the fight is far from over, and a bad bill could come back in the future."

"The Affordable Care Act isn't perfect, and we can fix its problems," Cooper said. "The best health care plan would be one that can achieve bipartisan support."

McConnell decided to postpone the vote on the legislation because he did not have enough votes among his own GOP members to advance the legislation to the floor this week.

Conservatives complained that the bill -- which was written behind closed doors by McConnell and a small group of senators -- does not go far enough to repeal Obamacare. Moderates feared it would hurt their constituents by throwing too many people off Medicaid.

On Monday, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said 22 million fewer people would have health care coverage under the legislation.

McConnell needs at least 50 of the 52 GOP senators to vote for the bill. Vice President Mike Pence can come in to break a 50-50 tie and approve the legislation.

Reach Michael Collins at mcollins2@gannett.com or 703-854-8927 and on Twitter at @mcollinsNEWS.

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