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Schumer Says The Bipartisan Health Care Deal Has The Votes To Pass

Sen. Chuck Schumer told NBC's "Meet the Press" they have more than enough support for the deal.

By: Lindsey Pulse

Posted at 4:12 PM, Oct 22, 2017

and last updated 2017-10-22 16:12:45-04

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wants to get moving on the bipartisan health care deal from Sens. Lamar Alexander and Patty Murray ASAP.

Schumer told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday that all 46 Senate Democrats, two independents and 12 Republicans are on board with the deal, which took months to work out.

"I would urge Sen. McConnell to put it on the floor immediately this week," Schumer said.

In part, the short-term deal would extend cost-sharing reduction payments for another two years in exchange for allowing states more flexibility to regulate health care coverage.

As for whether McConnell will move on the deal — he told CNN on Sunday he'd bring a bill to the floor if he knew President Donald Trump would sign it.

But Trump's stance on the issue has been inconsistent. At one point he seemed to support the deal, saying, "We're going to have a great solution."

But he later tweeted he could "never support bailing out" insurance companies.