In a huge setback for the White House and House Republicans, a vote on the repeal and replacement of Obamacare has been canceled altogether. Washington bureau reporter Alberto Pimienta filed the following report.
He calls himself a great negotiator. Now, President Donald Trump is facing the reality of Congress.
"With no Democratic support, we couldn't quite get there," Trump said. "We were a small number of votes short in terms of getting our bill passed."
In a historic defeat for House Republicans, Speaker Paul Ryan admitted failure and called it a disappointing day for the Republican Party.
"We came really close today, but we came up short," Ryan said. "I spoke to the president just a little while ago, and I told him that the best thing I think to do is to pull this bill, and he agreed with that decision.”
The speaker was not pointing any fingers.
"I don't want to cast blame. There is a block of no votes that we have. That is why this didn't pass," Ryan said. "They were a sufficient number of votes that prevent it from passing, and they didn't change their votes."
The House Freedom Caucus, the most conservative faction of the Republican Party, was unwilling to compromise even after concessions were made. The Freedom Caucus felt the bill didn't get rid of enough Obamacare regulations.
Now, the White House predicts a grim future for the Affordable Care Act.
"Again, I think what would happen, Obamacare will explode. It’s going to have a very bad year," Trump said.
The Democrats called it an exciting day and unleashed against the bill.
"Trumpcare, I mean, steals from Medicare. So let me say, higher premiums, less coverage, essential benefits gutted, age tax, veterans' tax, steals from Medicare. All of this to give a tax break to the richest people in America," said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. "It's in their DNA. They can't help themselves."
The bill that never made it to the floor included doing away with essential health benefits like maternity care, prescription drugs and mental health services.
On Thursday, Trump gave congressional Republicans an ultimatum. But it didn't work. Losing one vote after another on Friday, the fate of the bill was sealed.