Jul 26, 2017

HHS Secretary Price to Senate: Do whatever gets 50 votes

Alex Brandon / AP

Health and Human Services secretary Tom Price suggested this morning that the Trump administration wants any Affordable Care Act repeal bill that can pass the Senate. "What gets us to 50 votes so that we can move forward on a health-care reform legislation ... that's what needs to happen," he said on CNBC, adding that the Senate should aim for a "lowest common denominator" bill.

Why it matters: Price's comments could add momentum to talk of a "skinny repeal" bill, which might just repeal a few pieces of the ACA and give the Senate something to take into conference negotiations with the House. But they could also add to the perception that President Trump doesn't really care about the details — which could make it tough for Republicans to defend whatever they do pass.

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Axios

Updated 14 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 5:30 p.m. ET: 12,607,510 — Total deaths: 562,338 — Total recoveries — 6,948,863 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 5:30 p.m. ET: 3,228,884 — Total deaths: 134,600 — Total recoveries: 983,185 — Total tested: 38,919,421 — Map.
Public health: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter: "Please wear a mask to save lives" — Fauci hasn't briefed Trump on the coronavirus pandemic in at least two months — We're losing the war on the coronavirus.
Food: How the coronavirus pandemic boosted alternative meat.
Sports: Charge of "money grab" by college football.
World: India reimposes lockdowns as coronavirus cases soar.

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Ursula Perano

3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Supreme Court expands religious freedoms in schools, employment

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

The Supreme Court ended its term with a series of rulings on religion's role in schools, the workplace and access to health care.

Why it matters: The decisions elevated protections for people and employers of faith, while curtailing those of religion teachers, the nonreligious taxpayer and women who rely on their workplaces' health care plans for contraception.

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Mike Allen

4 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Scoop: Don Jr. plans convention-week Biden book

Cover via Don Jr.

Donald Trump Jr., in quarantine since girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle tested positive for the coronavirus, says he's used the time to finish a book that he'll self-publish the week of the Republican convention, at the end of August.

What he's saying: Don Jr., whose controversial blasts connect with President Trump's base, told me in a phone interview that "Liberal Privilege" will be his effort to paint a picture of Joe Biden and his record that the press ignores.