“For seven years you promised that you would repeal Obamacare,” Trump chided senators as they sat down for lunch. Several Republican senators had said they would vote against even proceeding to debate because they so objected to the legislation that McConnell had brokered behind closed doors. Most were unwilling to simply repeal Obamacare but could not agree with colleagues on alternatives for replacing it. McConnell, backed by the White House, argued that Republicans had no chance to keep their campaign promise if they didn’t at least start the debate process. The White House encouraged senators to let the administration know what changes would be needed to win their support.

Source: Los Angeles Times July 19, 2017 23:25 UTC