The controversial, and highly scrutinized Graham-Cassidy healthcare bill was to face a vote on its deadline of September 30, but now will be passed over. Senator Cassidy announced Tuesday that the bill didn't have the votes to make it through the Senate. Main criticisms of the bill included the massive budget cuts to state health care and decreased security for those with long-term and pre-existing conditions.
GOP losing support
Led by senators Bill Cassidy and Lindsey Graham, the health care reform was struggling to gain the 50 votes it needed to pass through the Senate. Republicans hold a 52-48 majority in the Senate, but support for Graham-Cassidy dropped below 50 as the deadline approached. Republicans Collins (ME), and McCain (AZ) were both staunch opposers of the bill, and had been since its inception, with backlash from Trump supporters. However, because of his seniority and earned respect within the Republican Party, cancer patient himself, and senior senator John McCain had a substantial impact on the death of the bill.
Alaskan senator Lisa Murkowski publicized no stance on the bill until last Tuesday. She then released a statement admitting that the current healthcare plan was poor, but could not support Graham-Cassidy because of the "lousy" process. With the combination of McCain, Collins, Murkowski, and the Senate Dems, the bill's potential died.
Entertainer and late night host Jimmy Kimmel also took a stand regarding the bill. His son suffers from congenital heart disease, the type of diagnosis which this reform reportedly attacks. He held his own as a strong opposer of Graham-Cassidy, and Trump's behavior through the process. After McCain pulled his support for the GOP, Trump when on to mock the war hero and received his due condemnation from Kimmel, now abother contributor to the blurred line between Hollywood and Washington and spokesperson for the left-wing.
For the rest of 2017...and beyond: what lies ahead?
Up next for Congress is tax reform, with healthcare losing its chances, and taking a back seat for the remainder of 2017. Cassidy says there will be a return to health care, but for the time being, taxes and the 2018 budget are under scrutiny. Upcoming debates will include whether or not to raise the debt ceiling, tax cuts for wealthier citizens, and the conflict between House and Senate budget plans. For President Trump, his habitual lack of diplomacy has landed him in hot water yet again both domestically, and internationally. His promises to destroy North Korea and upheaval with the sports world leave us with a hundred questions about what the rest of the year holds.