Ryan's legacy as speaker on line with health care vote
Posted March 22, 2017 7:00 am
WASHINGTON (AP) - The upcoming vote on the Republican health bill is a defining moment for House Speaker Paul Ryan. It could boost his aggressive agenda to overhaul the tax code and remake the federal government. Or send it off the rails.
The health care bill is the kind of high-impact legislation that has become rare in Congress.
In the past, Republicans could blame Senate Democrats or former President Barack Obama for blocking their ideas.
Not anymore.
Republicans control the House, the Senate and the White House.
Still, Ryan has to navigate a House Republican conference that is not of one mind on health care. And if he's successful, the bill would go to a Senate that is still short on votes to pass it.
House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 21, 2017, after meeting with President Donald Trump who came to Capitol Hill to rally support among GOP lawmakers for the Republican health care overhaul. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The Associated Press