Staffers from the office of Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., told Congressional leadership Monday that Mr. Ryan did not support the Alexander-Murray or reinsurance bills proposed as countermeasures to the individual insurance mandate repeal included in the Republican tax bill, according to The Hill.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., promised Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Republicans would pass the bills to gain her support of the tax bill, after she expressed concern about the negative effects of its repeal of the individual insurance mandate. However, Mr. Ryan's office said he will not make the same promise.
Senate and House leaders have begun the process of reconciling their respective tax bills, and it is unclear how Mr. Ryan's stance on healthcare reform will affect that process. His office said he does not oppose the bills, only that he does not hold himself to Mr. McConnell's promise to Ms. Collins.
Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., said he does not believe the Alexander-Murray bill would be able to pass through the GOP-controlled House.
"The package that's put together today is just not sufficient to get the votes," Mr. Cole said, according to The Hill. "You will not get the votes here. And we shouldn't be passing something if you get 50 Republican votes and 180 Democratic votes. That's not the way to pass something in the House that you control."
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