Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) met President Donald Trump today, according to recent tweets by the Senator.
A White House official also confirmed the meeting to Roll Call.
After the meeting, Paul said the following on Twitter:
“Just came from WH. [Donald Trump] is open to making bill better. Is Senate leadership?”
Paul’s challenge to Senate leadership echoes his remarks yesterday, when he slammed them for excluding his office from talks about the health care reform.
Sen. Rand Paul is one of four conservative Senators threatening to oppose the Affordable Health Care Act (AHCA), which is set for a vote later this week. The AHCA aims to repeal and replace Obamacare, but has come under criticism from conservatives for not repealing enough of the original Obamacare legislation, as well as adding new entitlements.
The administration has launched a charm offensive against the four holdouts, with Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) set to dine with Vice President Mike Pence tonight, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) hosting Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in the office earlier today. President Trump has also spoken to all four Senators by phone in recent days.
Both Pence and McConnell are set to address a Senate GOP lunch tomorrow, where all four Senators will be present.
In addition, the administration is having to tackle critics of the bill from the left of the party, with Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) announcing their opposition to the bill and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) expressing misgivings. However, unlike with the four conservatives, with whom he has a strong relationship, President Trump has chosen to leave outreach to Republican moderates to GOP leadership in Congress.
Repeal it!
I predicted Trump would have to recruit Democrats to pass it. Waiting until after recess to vote is a positive sign, but far from over. Keep the pressure on!
#FullRepealNoDeal
#StandWithRand
#UnitedForFreedom
so does that mean he is going to cave?