House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows said Friday he believes the Senate will pass its healthcare reform measure, and lawmakers will have to stay in Washington until the bill comes through.
"How long do the American people have to wait to get relief?" the North Carolina Republican told Fox News' "America's Newsroom" program.
"I was on the Senate side yesterday speaking to a number of senators, and I can tell you it's all hands on deck. It's not just the president tweeting from Europe. He was actually on the phone talking to different senators, engaging personally."
There is still work that needs to be done, said Meadows, and the main priority is bringing down premiums.
Meadows said he was on the phone Thursday night at 11 p.m. speaking with one senator looking at the issues involved, but said his talks are not about negotiations.
"It's just about trying to help them understand where the House is," said Meadows. "We believe we can get it done. We've got to make sure that we drive premiums down, protect those pre-existing conditions. This is a solid start. We are not all the way there, but we are making progress."
A new CBO score is expected on Monday based on some of the new provisions, with some senators not making their decisions until that happens. Meadows, however, said his caucus believes it can pick up a few moderates, or maybe a few conservatives, and make it work.
"Obviously, these next 72-120 hours will be critical as we try to fine-tune that," said Meadows. "The real key for most Americans is they want to make sure that they are protected.
"Whether you are a moderate or conservative, that's where you are really focused on all of this. I can tell you that I am very optimistic that we will get there. If we don't, we need to stay here in August until we get it done."
Meadows said he does favor cutting into the August recess to finish with healthcare reform, but noted the House has many more vital items that also remain, including tax reform.
"If we are going to go home, I need to show an accomplishment that we have . . . We are serious about and focus on it, but we have got to get it done," he said.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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