WASHINGTON // Relieved Republicans in the US House of Representatives muscled through their health care bill on Thursday, taking the biggest step yet toward dismantling the so-called “ObamaCare” reforms since Donald Trump took office. They won passage only after overcoming their own divisions which nearly sank the measure six weeks ago.
Jubilant Republicans, celebrating what they hope will soon be the demise of the former president's health care overhaul sang the pop song Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye as the end of the voting neared.
The measure skirted through the House by a thin 217-213 vote, as all voting Democrats and a group of mostly moderate Republican holdouts voted no. A defeat would have been politically devastating for president Trump and the speaker of the House, Paul Ryan.
The bill’s passage was the product of heavy lobbying by the White House and Republicans leaders, plus late revisions that nailed down the final supporters needed. The bill now faces an uncertain fate in the Senate, where even Republican lawmakers say major changes are likely.
“Many of us are here because we pledged to cast this very vote,” Mr Ryan said. “Are we going to keep the promises that we made, or are we going to falter?”
Leaders rallied rank-and-file lawmakers at a closed-door meeting early on Thursday by playing Eye of the Tiger, the rousing 1980s song from the Rocky III film.
Republicans have promised to erase Barack Obama’s law ever since its 2010 enactment, but this year – with Mr Trump in the White House and in full control of Congress – is their first real chance to deliver. Polls have shown a public distaste for the repeal effort and a gain in popularity for Mr Obama’s statute, however, and Democrats – who solidly oppose the bill – said Republicans would pay a price in next year’s congressional elections.
“You vote for this bill, you’ll have walked the plank from moderate to radical,” said House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, warning Republicans that voters would punish them. “You will glow in the dark on this one.”
* Associated Press
