There are currently 17 “No” votes on the House Trumpcare bill. The Hill is tracking the whip count. Only 22 GOP defections and it’s dead and the White House suffers a massive political defeat that could destroy its ability to push through many proposed budget cuts and program eliminations.
The “skinny budget” proposed last week is full of hurt for many worthy governmental programs. For one, it would devastate U.S. progress on clean energy. But James Carville is right: “The mover on health care loses; to do something is to lose.” Bill Clinton tried to overhaul health care and it provoked the Gingrich Revolution. Obamacare provoked the Tea Party Revolution. Who knows what liberal backlash will come after this abominable repeal-and-replace House GOP bill? The White House could lose all momentum just when it needs maximum power for budget negotiations.