President Donald Trump is taking a hands-off approach — at least publicly — regarding Senate Republicans' efforts to pass healthcare legislation.
CNN notes Trump has largely remained silent as the Senate works on its version of a House bill that was passed in May. And during a White House meeting with Senate Republicans this week, Trump reportedly kept the tone positive and did not criticize some lawmakers in the party for opposing the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA).
"There was no attempt at cajoling or threatening from him. It was a matter of, 'Folks, how can we get together and work this out?'" a Republican senator told CNN of the meeting. "He was very business-like and very matter of fact."
When the House was trying to pass the American Health Care Act earlier this year, Trump took a feisty tone with Republicans who were against the legislation. But with the GOP leaders in the Senate trying to secure a few more votes to get the necessary support for the bill, he is allowing them to do what it takes.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, told reporters this week Trump is still learning how to work with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
"This president is the first president in our history who has had neither political nor military experience, and thus it has been a challenge to him to learn how to interact with Congress and how to push his agenda forward," she said.
What Trump has been doing, however, is general lobbying for support of the bill. He posted this tweet on Wednesday, which called out Democrats who claim the BCRA will spell disaster for Medicaid: