Obamacare repeal bid collapses in fresh blow to Trump

PanARMENIAN.Net - President Donald Trump suffered a stinging defeat in his first major legislative challenge as rebel Republican lawmakers shot down his effort to repeal Obamacare, AFP reports.

It was the latest in a string of political stumbles and controversies for the nascent administration as Trump scrambled to achieve a crucial success to steady his already-listing presidency.

Barely two months into his term, Trump was forced to withdraw an embattled Republican health care bill, moments before a vote, leaving his campaign pledge to dismantle his predecessor's health care reforms unfulfilled.

"We were very, very close" to securing enough support for the bill, Trump said in the Oval Office.

But with no Democratic backing, "we couldn't quite get there."

Trump had thrown his full political weight behind the measure, spending days arm-twisting recalcitrant Republicans, and he declared himself "disappointed" and a "little surprised" by the defeat.

Instead of projecting humility, Trump went on the offensive Friday, March 24, branding Democrats as the real "losers" of the failed repeal bid because "now they own Obamacare. They own it, 100 percent."

The president met with House Speaker Paul Ryan earlier in the day, then spoke with him by telephone when it was clear the party did not have the votes to get its plan across the finish line.

"I told him that the best thing I think to do is to pull this bill and he agreed with that decision," Ryan said.

But while Trump was quick to blame Democrats for not giving "a single vote" for his plan, Ryan owned up to the failures.

"I will not sugar coat this. This is a disappointing day for us," said the top Republican in Congress.

Even as Trump expressed frustration, he said he was optimistic that his lieutenants will be able to craft an "even better" piece of health care legislation.