McConnell: ‘I Deeply Appreciate’ Ryan And Trump’s Failed Repeal Effort

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., listens to a reporter's questions during a newsmaker interview at the Associated Press bureau in Washington, Tuesday, Mar. 21, 2017.  (AP Photo/J. David Ake)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., listens to a reporter's questions during a newsmaker interview at the Associated Press bureau in Washington, Tuesday, Mar. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/J. David Ake)
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released a brief statement after House Republicans pulled their bill to repeal and replace Obamacare.

“Obamacare is failing the American people and I deeply appreciate the efforts of the Speaker and the president to keep our promise to repeal and replace it,” McConnell said. “I share their disappointment that this effort came up short.”

McConnell’s statement came after both Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) answered questions from the press about the American Health Care Act’s failure to even reach a vote in the House.

Ryan blamed members of his own Republican caucus, saying “there is a block of no votes that we had, that is why this didn’t pass,” and that Obamacare was the law of the land, “for the foreseeable future.”

Trump seemed to agree with Ryan that his administration would not make another attempt at major health care legislation any time soon. But he tried to pin his and Ryan’s organizing failures on Democrats.

“We had no Democrat support,” he said. “We had no votes from the Democrats. They weren’t going to give us a single vote, so it’s a very difficult thing to do.”

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