As President Donald Trump hit New York for his first U.N. General Assembly one of his top priorities gained momentum back in Washington: Republican senators aren’t yet optimistic but say they have momentum for a new effort to repeal Obamacare.
“While the proposal written by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) remains short of 50 votes, it also has just one hard “no” vote, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and another expected "no" in Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). Three “no” votes would kill the bill, but in an encouraging sign for repeal proponents, no one is stepping forward yet to deliver that final nail,” POLITICO’s Burgess Everett and Jennifer Haberkorn report.
Elsewhere in President Trump’s orbit:
DEFENSE TEAM GROVES: President Trump has added Steven Groves to his legal team as the Russia investigation continues, with West Wing interviews expected soon. Groves, a former chief of staff to Nikki Haley, joins as Ty Cobb’s deputy in the White House.
PRIME LOCATION: A New York Times reporter overheard Cobb and John Dowd, President Trump’s personal attorney, talking loudly about the Russia investigation at the BLT Prime restaurant in D.C. Cobb complained about White House counsel Don McGahn, among other things.