President Donald Trump fired embattled FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday. The controversial move added fuel to the fire of the administration's opponents and could have implications for the GOP healthcare agenda in the future, according to a report from the McClatchy Washington Bureau.
The Republican-controlled House narrowly passed the American Health Care Act — a bill that would repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with new legislation. The AHCA would make several changes to the nation's current healthcare system, including Medicaid funding to states, subsidies for purchasing healthcare insurance and allowing states to decide how to handle pre-existing conditions.
The Senate is now working on its version of the bill; typically the Senate needs 60 votes to pass and Republicans control 52 of the 100 seats; nine of the Republicans in the Senate are up for re-election next year.
According to the report, "With controversy such as the one engulfing Congress this week, Senators could be more skittish about taking tough votes."
Senate Republicans have already begun breaking rank, including in one instance the day after Mr. Comey's firing, to stop the repeal of regulations on methane emissions, which received little press before the vote. Healthcare, as one of the most contentious issues in the country, could provoke even more Congressmen to stray from party lines.
At least one senator, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, was quoted in the article as feeling Mr. Comey's firing has had an impact on the healthcare debate already. Brookings Institute Vice President and Director of Governance Studies reported there are 10 Senate Republicans on the verge of breaking party lines, especially those from moderate states and Senators who ran against Mr. Trump for the presidency last year.