McConnell delays Senate health care vote until after July 4 recess

The delay came after efforts stalled to tweak the legislation and garner support from the nine Republican senators who now oppose the bill. The Republican opposition was significant enough that even a routine procedural motion allowing the vote to proceed faced potential defeat.

In a test of his leadership, Mr. McConnell now will need to bridge a divide between conservative Republicans, who say the bill retains too many of the ACA’s regulations to significantly lower premiums, and GOP centrists, who worry the legislation goes too far in cutting funding to Medicaid. From now until Congress’ return from the recess, there is likely to be a run of deal-making, arm-twisting and lobbying, with voters voicing their opinions in town-hall meetings, Republican leaders offering changes and organizations trying to sway senators on all sides. The delay is a setback for President Donald Trump and Mr. McConnell, who had promised a vote this week. On Monday, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the second-ranking Senate Republican, tweeted that “I am closing the door” on a delay because “we need to do it this week.” On Tuesday, asked if the door was back open, Mr. Cornyn tweeted, “Just a crack.” Still, Senate leaders took comfort from the experience of House Republicans, whose own health bill was initially declared dead. They were then able to regroup, bring it to the floor and pass it in May.