“Repeal and replace”: Conservative critics hang tight & UPDATE

After a late session and heavy lobbying by the White House and GOP leaders, there is still no consensus on the repeal and replacement of ObamaCare.

Fox News reports Speaker Paul Ryan’s fast tracked replacement plan was in peril early this morning after lengthy leadership and committee meetings failed to produce an agreement that would bolster support among conservative members, who say it doesn’t go far enough to undo ObamaCare.

While the House Rules Committee was in session Wednesday Ryan was meeting with more prone to acquiesce  Republicans from Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maine and New York as well as members of leadership, trying to gin up support for what is widely considered to be his plan.

The conservative Freedom Caucus is not on board with the plan. “I’m confident that we have still enough concerns that a vote of 216 votes in the House would not happen today,” said Rep. Mark Meadows, (R-N.C.) the Freedom Caucus chairman. Current (2017) members of the group can be seen here. Three Arizonans are on the list — U.S. Reps. Trent Franks (CD-8), Paul Gosar (CD-4) and David Schweikert (CD-6).

The latest news in advance of the vote indicates President Trump wants unwavering support for the replacement health care bill which was scheduled for a vote today. The deadline could be pushed back since Pres. Trump has scheduled an 11:30 a.m. (ET) — 8:30 a.m. AZ Time, meeting with members of the House Freedom Caucus at the White House.