Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Liberal groups vow to send health care obstruction efforts into ‘hyperdrive’
Progressive groups vowed to kick resistance to the GOP health care plan into "hyperdrive" Monday after Senate leaders delayed action on the bill until Sen. John McCain of Arizona returns from surgery for a blood clot near his eye. Published July 17, 2017
John McCain’s surgery gives Senate no schedule for Obamacare repeal vote
Sen. John McCain's absence has left the Senate with no timetable for a vote to repeal and replace Obamacare, but some Republicans doubt the proposed health care bill has the votes to pass even with the upper chamber at full strength. Published July 16, 2017
Senate leaders delay health care vote, citing Sen. John McCain’s surgery
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell late Saturday said he will postpone votes on the Obamacare replacement bill that was scheduled to hit the floor this week, after Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona said he needed time to recover from surgery for a blood cot, depriving the GOP of a critical vote. Published July 16, 2017
Senate GOP releases revised health care bill
Senate Republican leaders released a new Obamacare repeal bill Thursday that keeps some of the 2010 law's tax hikes but further erodes its coverage mandates, allowing insurers to offer slimmer plans that could entice young and healthy Americans to sign up but raise costs for older and sicker customers. Published July 13, 2017
Lindsey Graham releases alternative health care proposal
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina on Thursday floated an alternative to the contentious Republican bill designed to repeal and replace Obamacare. Published July 13, 2017
Obamacare repeal, replace plan stumbles in Senate
Senate Republicans' push to repeal and replace Obamacare stumbled Wednesday as one conservative forcefully rejected the latest compromise attempt, and insurers said it would further distort health markets that are already struggling to attract young, healthy customers. Published July 12, 2017
Rand Paul slams revised GOP health care bill
Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said Wednesday a revised version of the Senate GOP bill appears to leave more of Obamacare in place instead of paring it back further, leaving him no choice but to reject it unless there are dramatic changes. Published July 12, 2017
House Democrats admit Obamacare is faltering in places, suggest fixes
Ten House Democrats released a plan Wednesday that acknowledges Obamacare's problems but proposes a series of ideas to fix them in place of the Republican push to repeal and replace the law outright. Published July 12, 2017
Obamacare repeal plan by GOP struggling to get crucial votes
Senate Republican leaders said Tuesday they plan to settle the fight over Obamacare once and for all this month, rejecting calls to work with Democrats and plowing ahead with a GOP-written bill even though it's unclear if they can pin down enough GOP votes for passage. Published July 11, 2017
Obamacare repeal to get new try by GOP to please party’s holdouts
Senate Republicans felt the squeeze Monday as they returned to work after a weeklong break, with President Trump demanding an Obamacare repeal bill before their August vacation, and vocal activists urging holdouts to resist backroom deals. Published July 10, 2017
Obamacare coverage gains starting to erode: Survey
A survey released Monday suggests Obamacare's coverage gains are beginning to ebb. Published July 10, 2017
Conservatives, moderates split over health care bill
Republican lawmakers will return to Washington on Monday deeply divided over health care, with leading conservatives eyeing a breakthrough or swift repeal vote even as moderates talk of starting over, but with Democrats at the table. Published July 9, 2017
Ted Cruz says Democrats have failed to deliver on Obamacare policy promises
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas on Friday hit back at Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer for labeling his latest health proposal a "hoax," saying Democrats made a series of promises about their signature health program that have fallen flat. Published July 9, 2017
Obamacare markets stable with higher taxpayer subsidies
Far from failing, Obamacare's exchanges are stable, the Congressional Budget Office says -- but only because, as the markets struggle, taxpayers pay ever-higher subsidies to encourage enrollment. Published July 9, 2017
Ted Cruz, Texas senator: Senate is making “real progress” on health care
Ted Cruz said Sunday that Senate Republicans face a "rocky path" toward replacing Obamacare but can navigate through it. Published July 9, 2017
John Brennan, former CIA director, says Trump was too soft on Putin
John Brennan on Sunday harshly criticized President Trump's performance during the G20 summit in Germany. Published July 9, 2017
Adam Schiff, California representative, dismisses cybersecurity partnership with Russia
The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said Sunday the Kremlin cannot be a "credible partner" in the type of cybersecurity pact floated by President Trump. Published July 9, 2017
Bill Cassidy, Louisiana senator: Repealing Obamacare without alternative is a ‘non-starter’
Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana on Sunday said repealing Obamacare without a replacement in hand is a "non-starter" that would disrupt the insurance markets. Published July 9, 2017
Reince Priebus: Trump did not accept Putin’s denial of meddling
Reince Priebus denied Sunday that President Trump accepted Russian President Vladimir Putin's claim at the Group of 20 summit that the Kremlin did not meddle in last year's U.S. election. Published July 9, 2017
Ted Cruz swipes back at Chuck Schumer’s ‘hoax’ comment
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas on Friday hit back at Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer for labeling his latest health proposal a "hoax," saying Democrats made a series of promises about their signature health program that have fallen flat. Published July 7, 2017