Trump v. Freedom Caucus
Eliza Collins and Herb Jackson report at USA Today:
Moderate House Republicans have apparently rejected overtures from the conservative House Freedom Caucus — the most critical group in sinking the Republican bill to repeal and replace Obamacare — which was seeking talks about whether a compromise repeal plan is possible.
Rep. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., — one of President Trump's closest allies in the House — told reporters Thursday that the moderates' caucus, called the "Tuesday Group," met and "unequivocally" decided not to meet with the Freedom Caucus.
“It’s not changing the opinions in our conference. We’ve moved on,” Collins continued. “We have to move on to tax reform. My own hope is they will be more pliable for tax reform having the conference suffering this defeat on health care reform. I truly believe health care has moved on and won’t be dealt with until 2019, if then.”
“I am not negotiating with anyone, I’ve seen stories that there are discussions about certain negotiations between the Tuesday Group and the Freedom Caucus that’s not the case,” Rep. Charlie Dent, a co-chair of the Tuesday Group said Wednesday morning on CNN. “Do I talk to other members? Absolutely. Am I negotiating with anyone about the bill that was just put aside? No.”
And from Playbook:
ONE MORE -- at 10:27 a.m.: “The failing @nytimes has disgraced the media world. Gotten me wrong for two solid years. Change libel laws?” Linking to a post from the New York Post’s John Crudele criticizing the Times http://nyp.st/2nzskL2
-- THE STRATEGY here -- if there is one -- isn’t particularly clear. If Trump is going to “fight” the House Freedom Caucus and Democrats, he is going to run into trouble on Capitol Hill. If Trump isn’t working with the Freedom Caucus or Democrats, he won’t have a single bill to sign. The Freedom Caucus is roughly 30 of 237 House Republicans. He needs 218 lawmakers to pass a bill …. Catch our drift? Not to mention, the Freedom Caucus alone is not to blame for Trump’s health care bill’s failure -- moderates were opposed to the legislation, too. AND … Change libel laws? Get real
