Arizona governor backs new ObamaCare repeal bill

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has endorsed a new Senate Republican bill that would repeal and replace ObamaCare.

Ducey, a Republican, called the legislation offered by GOP Sens. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (La.) “the best path forward” to gut the health-care law.

He also said the Senate had “12 days” to get the job done, a reference to the fact that Republicans will lose the right to use special budgetary rules to avoid a Democratic filibuster at the end of the month. 

My statement on #GrahamCassidy #RepealAndReplace pic.twitter.com/oJHqOiR688

— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) September 18, 2017

Ducey’s remarks are important because Arizona Sen. John McCain (R) is a key vote in the Senate. 

{mosads}McCain cast the deciding vote against a previous ObamaCare repeal bill, but he has suggested he might support legislation backed by his state’s governor.

On Monday, he told NBC that he is “comfortable with the bill as long as the governor of Arizona has signed off on it, which he has some concerns.”

McCain also said, however, that he preferred a bipartisan process.

My statement on #GrahamCassidy #RepealAndReplace pic.twitter.com/oJHqOiR688

— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) September 18, 2017

“I understand Sen. Graham and Sen. Cassidy and their desire to get this done,” McCain said, “but I guarantee you, haven’t we learned that bipartisanship — particularly when we’re talking about one-fifth of our gross national product, health care — that it should be done on a bipartisan basis.”

Later Monday, McCain explained that he was looking for “regular order.”

“I am not supportive of the bill yet. We’ll talk more about it. I’ll talk with my governor and all that. I want regular order.”

Asked about Ducey’s endorsement, McCain replied, “This decision that I’m making, obviously, as I’ve said, has a lot to do with the process. Am I going to have an amendment? Is there going to be a substitute? Or am I just going to vote it up or down just like they tried last time?”

Republicans are running out of time to get something done on ObamaCare repeal. 

They face a Sept. 30 deadline to use “budget reconciliation” rules that allow them to pass the measure without winning 60 votes for procedural motions. Without those rules, no ObamaCare repeal bill would get through the Senate.