The House Rules Committee on Friday morning cleared the Republican bill to repeal and replace Obamacare, sending the legislation to the House floor for debate and a final vote.
The committee established that the House will have four hours to debate the American Health Care Act on the floor before taking a final vote. The committee agreed to a closed rule, which will prevent the House from considering any additional amendments to the legislation on the floor.
The rule passed by the committee also incorporated the latest changes to the bill, the manager’s amendments, into the legislation so that the House will vote on just one package, rather than on the original bill and separate amendments.
The Rules Committee’s final clearance tees up a Friday afternoon vote for the full House, but it is still unclear whether GOP leadership has whipped enough votes in its caucus to ensure the bill’s passage.
