Mar 7, 2017

GOP lawmakers fight establishment Obamacare plan

J. Scott Applewhite / AP

A group of GOP lawmakers from both the House and Senate have banded together to oppose the GOP establishment's American Health Care Act — which President Trump is "proud to support" — opting instead to announce their plan to reintroduce 2015 legislation that offered a clean repeal of Obamacare.

Who is behind the effort? Sen. Rand Paul, Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. Mark Meadows, Rep. Jim Jordan, Rep. Louie Gohmert, Rep. Dave Brat, and Rep. Tom Garrett. Most of the House members are also members of the Freedom Caucus, which will vote on its AHCA position as a bloc this evening.

Rand's reasoning: "We are united on repeal, but we are divided on replacement."

How times have changed: In 2015, the clean repeal bill easily cleared both houses of Congress and was vetoed by then-President Obama. But that was an act of political theater without real stakes and the pressing need for a replacement.

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Zachary Basu

Boris Johnson admitted to hospital as coronavirus symptoms persist

Photo: Ray Tang/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been admitted to the hospital for tests as a "precautionary step" as his coronavirus symptoms have continued to persist 10 days after testing positive, according to a Downing Street spokesperson.

Why it matters: Johnson was the first major elected leader to test positive for the coronavirus. He was admitted on the same day that Queen Elizabeth II gave a rare televised address to the nation, urging the British people to confront the pandemic with the same "self-discipline" and "resolve" that has defined the country in times of crisis.

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Axios

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 4 p.m. ET: 1,252,265 — Total deaths: 68,413 — Total recoveries: 258,495 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 4 p.m. ET: 325,185 — Total deaths: 9.267 — Total recoveries: 16,820 — Map.
Public health latest: CDC launches national trackers and recommends face coverings in public. Federal government will cover costs of COVID-19 treatment for uninsured. Surgeon general says this week will be "our Pearl Harbor, our 9/11 moment."
2020 latest: "We have no contingency plan," Trump said on the 2020 Republican National Convention. Biden says DNC may have to hold virtual convention.
States updates: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state is "literally going day-to-day" with supplies.
Work update: Queen Elizabeth II urges the British people to confront pandemic with "self-discipline" and "resolve" in rare televised address.
What should I do? Pets, moving and personal health. Answers about the virus from Axios experts — What to know about social distancing — Q&A: Minimizing your coronavirus risk.
Other resources: CDC on how to avoid the virus, what to do if you get it.

Subscribe to Mike Allen's Axios AM to follow our coronavirus coverage each morning from your inbox.

Keep ReadingUpdated 32 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Ursula Perano

Queen Elizabeth addresses U.K. amid coronavirus crisis: "We will meet again"

In a rare televised address on Sunday, Queen Elizabeth II urged the United Kingdom to respond to the coronavirus pandemic with the "self-discipline" and "resolve" that have defined the British people in moments of crisis.

Why it matters: It's just the fifth time that the queen, who traditionally speaks to the nation once a year on Christmas Day, has addressed the British people in this way during her 68-year reign.

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