Interviews with many Republicans indicate that the party is no closer to consensus two months after an election that gave them unified control of the White House and Congress.
Even before the new amendment was offered, Cassidy, Collins and other senators pushed to delay any repeal of Obamacare tax hikes so that there would be revenue to pay for a replacement plan. This puts them at odds with House conservatives, who have been demanding a full, immediate repeal.
On Monday, more senators said they agreed with a delay on the tax front, including Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota.
John Cornyn, the No. 2 Senate Republican, told reporters that the taxes used to subsidize insurance for millions of Americans could be dealt with later this year in a larger tax overhaul.
Republicans senators are also grappling with the risks of repealing the law before a replacement is ready.
Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin said he wants to see a "pretty darn specific” proposal to replace Obamacare before it’s repealed.
‘Test Votes’
"Let’s start taking test votes on the different elements” and "start making the political points” for "what is going to be a more rational health-care system that actually works,” Johnson said in an interview. "There is enough resistance and probably recognition” among Republicans that the Senate is likely to move slowly on repeal, he said. "It sounds like President-elect Trump is kind of weighing into it as well, saying, be a little careful here — we repeal it, it’s ours."
Other Republicans are still supporting their leaders’ strategy. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina said that "if there is a vote to repeal Obamacare I’m going to vote yes," but he wants a three-year delay in implementation for a "comfortable landing." Others also support a swift repeal vote.
"You have to replace it once you repeal. There’s a good case to be made to have a trigger that triggers the replacement so everyone knows it’s coming. But having them both together is not a necessity," said Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia.