In addition to calls by Senator Lee, Senator Cruz, Senator Sasse, and others, President Trump has also lent his support to a full repeal. He has stated that Republicans should pursue a full repeal if efforts to pass a replacement bill fail.
Political Implications of the Obamacare Repeal
Many political observers have also noted McConnell’s shrewd choice of timing for the Obamacare repeal. Although the repeal follows another embarrassing defeat, the two-year delay ensures that Republican voters will remain highly motivated going into the 2018 election. As Ben Shapiro observed, this will make 2018 a referendum on Obamacare.
Two year delay means 2018 is a full scale referendum on repeal of Obamacare.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) July 18, 2017
Although it remains to be seen whether Senate Republicans will keep their promises, and a filibuster could significantly delay a repeal, the Senate Majority Leader has finally bowed to the concerns of conservative voters. Republicans must hold his feet to the fire, while encouraging their other elected representatives to vote yes on repeal.
