‘One Step Closer’
House leaders praised the changes Monday night, with Speaker Paul Ryan saying Republicans were “one step closer” to repealing Obamacare.
“I want to thank the White House and members from all parts of our conference who have helped make this the strongest legislation it can be,” he said in a statement late Monday.
One indication that Ryan and his lieutenants are gaining important ground came late Monday when Representative Tom MacArthur of New Jersey and several other moderates said they would back the bill.
MacArthur co-chairs a group of House centrists known as the "Tuesday Group." He was joined in his announcement by Representatives Tom McClintock of California, Martha McSally of Arizona and Robert Aderholt of Alabama. In a statement, the group pointed to adjustments to boost the bill’s tax credits for lower-income adults as key in helping to address their concerns.
Not all House moderates had yet joined in support by Tuesday morning, including MacArthur’s Tuesday Group co-chairman -- Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania. But securing centrist backing is key for GOP vote counters, who have little wiggle room given ongoing opposition from some conservatives.
But members had different opinions on whether the changes would be enough to get it through.
“I think there are obviously some small tweaks that are good tweaks but there’s no substantial changes in the manager’s amendment that would make anybody be more compelled to vote for this,” Meadows said.
‘Defining Moment’
"This is a defining moment for the Freedom Caucus," he added. "I don’t think there is a more critical vote for the Freedom Caucus than this particular one."