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Tom Howell Jr.

Tom Howell Jr.

Tom Howell Jr. covers politics and the White House for The Washington Times. He can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.

Articles by Tom Howell Jr.

A vote planned for this week on the Senate's health care bill has been postponed indefinitely to give Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican, time to recover from a procedure to remove a blood clot above his eye. (Associated Press/File)

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

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., a vocal opponent of the Senate Republican healthcare bill, speaks with reporters on his way to a vote on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 12, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., joined by Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas, meets with reporters after a closed-door Republican strategy session, Tuesday, July 11, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington. McConnell said Senate Republicans will unveil their revised health care bill Thursday and begin voting on it next week, adding, he could delay the chamber's August recess for two weeks as the GOP tries breaking logjams that have slowed work on that and other issues. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., a key opponent of the Republican health care bill, finishes a television news interview on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 11, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he will unveil a revised health care bill and get a budget analysis to assuage the fears of holdout Republicans. (Associated Press)

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

Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn said Republican leaders will release a revised Obamacare repeal bill soon — one that will please the party's holdouts. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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

Sen. Bill Cassidy, Louisiana Republican, called repealing Obamacare and replacing it later a "non-starter," since people with pre-existing conditions won't know if they'll can secure coverage. "It think it betrays President Trump's campaign pledges," he said. (Associated Press)

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

Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican, has proposed allowing customers choose to maintain robust plans or opt for less-elaborate plans that don't comply with Obamacare regulations. Analysts, however, say only the sickest customers will stay with the status quo, driving up costs. (Associated Press/File)

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

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, answers a question as he holds a town hall meeting Thursday, July 6, 2017, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) ** FILE **

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