Some Republican senators returning to Washington after the congressional recess are pessimistic about Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's chances of bridging the divide over the GOP healthcare bill, CNN has reported.
Some sounded downright desperate, with one senior Republican source telling CNN that prospects of the healthcare bill passing the Senate are "better than 1 percent, [but] not yet above 2 percent in my opinion."
McConnell's task appears to have become more complicated, because GOP senators heard fierce opposition to their plan from their constituents while home for the recess. The number of Republican senators opposed to the bill is now at 10, and the GOP can only afford two defections and still pass the legislation.
The goal now is for a vote to be taken before the August recess, because delaying the decision until after Congress returns following Labor Day could affect other GOP legislative priorities.
But another complication is that opposition to the current proposal comes from both the moderate and conservative flanks, meaning that it could be difficult to convince the eight senators needed to change their mind in order to pass a bill, because tweaking it one way or the other would leave those on the other side of the divide opposed.
The demands of conservatives, who want to repeal more Obamacare regulations, appear unable to coexist with what moderates seek, which is ensuring that protections are kept for those with pre-existing conditions and preserving Medicaid expansion for as long as they can.
Republicans also are divided about what to do if an Obamacare replacement bill fails to pass, The Hill reported.
The party is split among many who want to pass a straight repeal of Obamacare and work on a replacement later and those who prefer to work with Democrats on fixing the healthcare law.
Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson expressed frustration that a better healthcare plan could be found if only partisan rancor could be taken out of the equation, telling CNN: "I think we have the information we would need if we're willing to use it.
"If we're willing to be honest about what has caused the collapse of these markets and address it forthrightly, not being concerned about the political implications, but actually fix the problem."