Dear Commons Community,

As being reported by various media,  House Republicans are set to vote on a new health care plan today without the customary review by the Congressional Budget Office or a clear sense that they have enough votes to pass the legislation.  

Republican leaders announced last night that the House would vote on the GOP’s legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act after three congressmen who looked opposed signed on to an amendment that would provide $8 billion for states that waive provisions for pre-existing medical conditions.  As reported by The Huffington Post:

“We have the votes,” Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters following a meeting with leadership. And with those late switches, McCarthy may finally be right.

If they don’t already have the votes, Republicans are clearly close to enough to go to the floor. There are roughly 16 Republicans who are hard noes, another few who seem to be leaning in opposition, and an additional couple dozen who haven’t unequivocally stated where they stand.

At this point, that aversion to going on the record may be more about avoiding political blowback than to actually taking a stand. Members seem to prefer to not take a public position if they won’t have to vote. But those mysteries, supposedly, will be laid bare Thursday, when Republicans give the bill an up-or-down that will require just about every “undecided” member to support the bill.”

However this vote goes will be the major headlines tomorrow.

Tony