The Latest: McConnell pressing ahead with health care vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the Senate Republican push to repeal the Affordable Care Act (all times local):

2:15 p.m.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell intends to bring up a GOP health care bill on the Senate floor next week.

That's according to McConnell's spokesman, David Popp.

The legislation by Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana would repeal central elements of former President Barack Obama's health care law. State would get block grants instead.

Republicans must vote on the bill by the end of next week or lose access to special budget rules that prevent Democrats from filibustering.

McConnell has been short of votes for the legislation and it remains unclear if he has the votes in hand to pass the measure.

Popp's statement said: "It is the leader's intention to consider Graham-Cassidy on the floor next week."

12:40 p.m.

New Jersey's governor — Republican Chris Christie — says he opposes a health care overhaul that GOP senators in Washington are pushing.

Christie says he's been lobbied to support the proposal. But he says he won't back it because it would take money away from New Jersey and other states that expanded Medicaid.

He's promoting his efforts to address New Jersey's opioid epidemic. His administration has used Medicaid money for treatment.

9:40 a.m.

Sen. Bill Cassidy is making a last-minute ditch effort to repeal the Obama health law and replace it.

The plan promoted by the Louisiana Republican would undo the central pillars of former President Barack Obama's law. The legislation would rely on grants to the states so they could make their own health care coverage rules.

He tells MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that his bill "will bring power to that patient, power to that state for them to have control over their health care future."

8:50 a.m.

President Donald Trump says he hopes Republican senators will vote for new legislation that aims to repeal and replace the health care law enacted by his predecessor.

Trump says on Twitter that the developing plan is "GREAT!" and "Ends Ocare!" a reference to the existing "Obamacare" health law.

Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana are the sponsors.

The bill would undo the central pillars of President Barack Obama's health care law and replace them with block grants to states so they can devise their own health care coverage rules.

Senate Republicans defeated an effort earlier this year to repeal Obama's law.

Trump also criticizes Kentucky Republican Sen. Ran Paul for opposing the bill. Trump says Paul is "such a negative force when it comes to fixing healthcare."

4:15 a.m.

President Donald Trump and Republican Senate leaders are engaged in a frantic search for votes in a last-ditch effort to repeal and replace "Obamacare."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is pressing hard for the newly revived effort, which had been left for dead as recently as a week or two ago. But in a sign he remained short of votes, McConnell refused on Tuesday to commit to bringing the legislation up for a vote.

As in July, much of the focus is on Arizona Sen. John McCain. Would he step back in line with fellow Republicans now that there was a bill co-written by Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, his best friend in the Senate? McCain wasn't saying. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, another crucial vote, wasn't disclosing her views, either.