
A revised healthcare bill is expected to come out of the Senate on Thursday with a revised Congressional Budget Office score by the beginning of next week and a motion to proceed on a vote during the same week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday.
The Senate will delay the start of its August recess by two weeks to give them time to move forward on the Affordable Care Act repeal and replace legislation and other business such as the Department of Defense authorization, funding for the Food and Drug Administration and increasing the debt ceiling, McConnell said.
[Also: Healthcare CEOs: Senate healthcare bill would have dire consequences]
It's unclear what will be in the new healthcare bill.
Last week Senator Ted Cruz of Texas offered an amendment to the current Senate bill that is reportedly being scored by the CBO. The amendment would segment insurance coverage by offering a pared-down plan minus ACA essential benefits that would appeal to healthy consumers who want lower premiums, and another ACA-compliant plan with higher premiums for consumers needing more expensive coverage.
[Also: Recess is over: Health bill debate gains traction]
McConnell said obstructionists tactics are holding up business. Senate Democrats have used the filibuster on two-thirds of President Trump's picks to fill administration posts. All of the confirmations are backlogged, McConnell said.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse