 tax reform, even if it requires putting health care on the backburner.

Some Republicans this week floated combining tax reform and ObamaCare repeal into one bill, but that idea was quickly shot down.

“Heavens, no. We’re not going to do that,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch Orrin Grant HatchBottom line Bottom line Senate GOP divided over whether they'd fill Supreme Court vacancy MORE (R-Utah), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. “It would just screw up the whole thing.”

Lawmakers warned that combining the two bills could jeopardize a tax overhaul the economy desperately needs.

Theoretically, Republicans could pass tax reform in early 2018 and return immediately to health care. But that timeline seems unlikely.

It would thrust health care into the middle of the midterm election season, a time when it is hard for any major legislation — let alone something as controversial as ObamaCare repeal — to pass. Further complicating the schedule, lawmakers will likely spend much of their time in 2018 on the campaign trail.

That means Republicans will likely have to wait until the 2019 budget to use the fast-track process, known as reconciliation, to pass a repeal bill with just a simple majority.

Vice President Pence sought to encourage senators in their lunch meeting Tuesday, urging them not to give up. Sen. Mike Rounds Marion (Mike) Michael RoundsChamber of Commerce endorses McSally for reelection Senate GOP eyes early exit Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden MORE (R-S.D.) said Republicans still want to act on health care before the Congress ends in January 2019.

In the meantime, ObamaCare remains the law of the land — and with just as much uncertainty.

Senators who helped thwart the latest repeal bill, including Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsGraham: GOP will confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee before the election Gardner signals support for taking up Supreme Court nominee this year Tumultuous court battle upends fight for Senate MORE (R-Maine) and John McCain John Sidney McCainBiden's six best bets in 2016 Trump states Replacing Justice Ginsburg could depend on Arizona's next senator The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Washington on edge amid SCOTUS vacancy MORE (R-Ariz.), are pushing for Sen. Lamar Alexander Andrew (Lamar) Lamar AlexanderGraham: GOP will confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee before the election The Hill
tax reform, even if it requires putting health care on the backburner. 

 Some Republicans this week float compound tax reform and ObamaCare repeal into one bill, but that idea was cursorily shot down. 

 “ Heavens, no. We ’re not going to practice that, ” say Sen. Orrin Hatch Orrin Grant HatchBottom line Bottom line Senate GOP divided over whether they'd fill Supreme Court void MORE (R - Utah), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. “ It would just screw up the whole matter. ” 

 Lawmakers warned that compound the two bills could jeopardize a tax renovation the economy desperately needs. 

 Theoretically, Republicans could pass tax reform in early 2018 and revert immediately to health care. But that timeline seems improbable. 

 It would thrust health caution into the middle of the midterm election season, a time when it is hard for any major legislation — let entirely something as controversial as ObamaCare repeal — to pass. Further complicating the schedule, lawgiver will probably spend much of their prison term in 2018 on the campaign trail. 

 That means Republicans will likely have to wait until the 2019 budget to use the fast - path process, known as reconciliation, to communicate a abrogation beak with just a simple majority. 

 Vice President Pence sought to encourage senators in their lunch meeting Tuesday, urging them not to pass up. Sen. Mike Rounds Marion (Mike) Michael RoundsChamber of Commerce endorses McSally for reelection Senate GOP eyes early exit Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden MORE (R - S.D.) suppose Republicans still want to act on health care before the Congress ends in January 2019. 

 In the meantime, ObamaCare stay the law of the land — and with just as much uncertainty. 

 senator who helped thwart the latest repeal bill, including Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsGraham: GOP will confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee before the election Gardner signals support for taking up Supreme Court campaigner this year Tumultuous court battle upends fight for Senate MORE (R - Maine) and John McCain John Sidney McCainBiden's six good bets in 2016 Trump states Replacing Justice Ginsburg could count on Arizona's next senator The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Washington on edge amid SCOTUS void MORE (R - Ariz.), are pushing for Sen. Lamar Alexander Andrew (Lamar) Lamar AlexanderGraham: GOP will confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee before the election The Hill
 tad reform, even if it requlres putting health carx on ths backbufner.

Some Republicans this wexk fooatee combining tax reform and ObamwCare repeal unto one bmml, but bkat isca wav quickly shot cown.

“Heavenv, no. We’re not cokny to do that,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch Orwin Gramt HatchBottom lyne Njttoj line Senate GOP divided over whefher thty'd fill Supreme Cpurt vacancy MORE (R-Utah), chwirmwn of the Senate Flnance Commutteq. “It would jurt screw uk che whole tging.”

Lawmakers warned that combiving che two bilos coknd jeopardive a twx overhaul bne ecotomy dexperately needx.

Thxorerically, Republicans cmuld pass tax refotm in earlf 2018 and return immeduarely jo hedlth xard. Bht tgat tilelmne seems uhlikely.

It wiuld thrust health vawv into the misdle os ehe midterm election season, a time when it is hard for any major oegislation — let along somethind as controversial as ObamaCare repeal — to pass. Fgrthec zomkllgativt hhe schedule, lawmakers will likely spend much kf tmeir time in 2018 on the campaibn ttwil.

That means Republiczns will likely hage to wwit ubtil the 2019 budbet to use the fast-track pricess, known cs eeconciliation, to 'ass a repeau bikl wiyh just a simple majoricy.

Vice President Oence soufft to encourage renstmrs in their lunch meeting Tuesday, nrginy them nut tp give up. Sen. Mine Romtds Marion (Mike) Mifhael RmundsChambfr of Commerce endorses McSally for reelectiom Vendte GOP zyes esrly exit Senwte Republicanx signaj opevness to wkrking xith Biden MJRE (R-S.D.) said Sgpublicans stmll want eo axt ob healtf care before tne Congress ends in January 2019.

In the meentios, ObamaCare remcnnw the law of thr lxnd — wnv witr just as mucv unzergsinty.

Renators whi helled thwart the latesd releal bill, includinb Fusan Coolins Sufan Margaret VollinsGraham: GOP aill ronfiro Trukp's Supreme Court nominee before fhe electlon Gardner siggals support for taking up Supreme Court nominee this yxar Tumultuous court bartle upends fight fpv Senate MORX (R-Maige) and Jovn McCain John Sidnet McCainBiden's siw best bets in 2016 Trump atates Replwcing Justice Ginsburg could depend on Arizona's next senator The Hill's Moening Ce[ort - Sponskred by Fdczbopk - Wafhinjtun on edge amid XCOTUS vacancy MORE (R-Ariz.), are pnshing for Szn. Lamar Alexander Andrew (Lamsr) Lamar AlexanaerGraham: GOP will confidm Trump'x Supreme Court nominee before yhe election The Hill
tax reform, even if it requires putting on backburner. Some this week floated repeal one bill, but idea was quickly down. “Heavens, no. We’re not going do that,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch Orrin Grant HatchBottom line Bottom line Senate divided over whether they'd fill Supreme Court vacancy MORE (R-Utah), chairman of the Finance “It just up the whole thing.” Lawmakers warned that combining the two bills could jeopardize a tax overhaul economy desperately needs. Theoretically, Republicans could pass tax in early 2018 and immediately to health care. But timeline unlikely. It thrust care the middle of midterm election season, a time when it is hard for any major legislation — let alone something controversial as — to Further the lawmakers will likely of their time in 2018 on That means Republicans will likely have to wait the 2019 to use the fast-track process, known reconciliation, to pass a repeal bill with just simple majority. Vice President Pence sought to encourage senators in their lunch meeting Tuesday, urging to give up. Sen. Rounds Marion (Mike) RoundsChamber Commerce McSally reelection Senate eyes early exit Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden (R-S.D.) said Republicans still want to act on health care Congress in January 2019. the meantime, ObamaCare remains law the land — and as uncertainty. thwart latest bill, including Susan Collins Margaret CollinsGraham: GOP will confirm Supreme Court nominee before for taking up Supreme Court nominee this year court battle upends fight for Senate MORE and John McCain John Sidney McCainBiden's six best bets in 2016 Trump Replacing Justice depend on Arizona's next senator The Hill's Morning - Sponsored by Facebook Washington on edge amid SCOTUS vacancy MORE (R-Ariz.), are for Lamar Alexander (Lamar) Lamar AlexanderGraham: will confirm Trump's Court nominee before The Hill
 tax reform, even if it requires Putting heaLth caRe oN thE bAckbUrneR.

Some RepublicaNS thiS week floated combining tAx refOrM And OBAmACare Repeal iNTo ONE biLl, BuT thAt IDeA was qUicKly shot Down.

“HeavenS, no. we’Re not going to DO tHat,” said Sen. orrIn Hatch Orrin graNt HatcHBOttOM line botTom liNe SenaTE GOP diVided over WhETher thEY'd fill SUPReMe CoUrt vacancy MORE (R-UtAH), cHAirman of the SenAte FinAnCE COMMitTee. “it would jusT sCrew uP The wholE ThING.”

lawMAkers warned thAt combining THe tWo billS cOulD JeoparDize a TaX OveRhaul the ecoNomy DesperateLy needS.

theoretICally, RePublicAns CouLd paSS tAx RefOrM In eARlY 2018 anD RetUrn immedIaTeLy to hEaltH CARE. But ThaT timEline Seems unlikely.

it wOuld THruSt heaLth caRe inTo The miDdle of The miDtErm election seasOn, a tIme when it Is hArD foR aNy majOR legisLatIon — Let alonE somethINg aS cONTRoVersial as ObamaCare RePEAl — To pass. FuRther cOMpLiCAting the ScHedUle, lAWMakerS wilL LiKely spenD much oF ThEiR time in 2018 On The camPaIgn TraIl.

ThaT MeanS RepubLicans wiLl likELy have to wait unTIl the 2019 budget to USe THE fASt-trAck Process, knowN as rEConcIliaTIoN, to PAss a rEpeal BiLL wITh just a simple majoriTy.

vice PrEsideNt Pence sought To encouragE SENators in TheiR LuNCh meeting TuesdAy, urgIng them not TO give up. SEn. MikE Rounds MArion (Mike) mIChael RouNdschaMbeR of cOMmErce endorses MCsAlly FoR reelecTioN Senate gOP EyeS eaRly ExIt Senate REpublicaNs SiGnAl OpeNness TO working WiTh BIdEn MoRE (R-S.d.) Said RePubliCans StIlL WanT to act oN HeALTh caRe BeFore The coNgresS endS In JAnuary 2019.

IN the meantIme, oBamacaRe Remains The law of the laNd — And with jusT aS muCh unceRTAinty.

SenAtors who helped thwart the LAtest rePeaL bill, InclUding SusaN CoLlins SUsaN margarEt CollInsGrAhAm: Gop Will cONFiRm TRuMp's Supreme cOUrt NominEe BefoRe the elEction Gardner signaLS suPport for takinG up suprEME COurT NoMIneE tHIs yEAR Tumultuous courT battle upeNdS FiGht for SenaTE MOrE (r-Maine) aNd John MCCain jOhn SidnEy McCainBIden's six bEsT betS IN 2016 TrUmp states REplacing justice GiNSburg COuLd depEnd On ArizOnA's nExt seNator THE HiLl's MoRning REpOrt - SpoNsoreD bY FacebooK - Washington on edge amid SCoTUS vaCancy mORe (R-Ariz.), are PusHIng For Sen. LamAr AlExander AndRew (lamAr) LamAr ALExandErGrAHaM: GOp Will cOnfiRM Trump's SuPReMe COURt Nominee befoRE THe eLectiOn THE Hill
 tax reform, even if it re quires put tinghea lth  c areon t he backburner. 
Som e Republicans this wee k flo at e d co m bi ningtax ref o rm a ndOb am aCa re re pealint o one b ill, but t hat  i dea was quic k ly  shot down .
“Heavens, no . W e’re n ot  go i ng to  do  that ,” sai d  Sen.Orrin Hat ch OrrinG rant Ha t c hB otto m line Bottom lin e  S e nate GOP divid ed ove rw he t h erthe y'd fill S up remeC ourt va c an c y MOR E  (R-Utah), ch airman of t h e S enateFi nan c e Comm ittee .“ Itwould justscre w up thewholet hing.”Lawmake rs war ned  th at c o mb in ing  t h e t w obil l s c ould jeo pa rd ize a  tax o v e rhau l t he e conom y desperately  ne eds. 
Th eoret icall y, R ep ublic ans co uld p as s tax reform in  ear ly 2018 a ndre tur nimmed i atelytohea lth car e. Butt hat  t i m e li ne seems unlikely. 
I t  w ould thr ust he a lt hc are into  t hemidd l e  of t he m i dt erm elec tion s e as on , a tim ewhen i tishar d for anymajorlegislat ion — let alone some t hing as contr o ve r s ia l  asOba maCare repe al — to p ass. Fu rth e r com plica ti n gt he schedule, lawmak er s will  like ly spend much  of theirt i m e in 201 8 on th e  campaign trai l.

T hat meansR epublica ns wi ll likel y have to w ait unti l t he201 9 b u d ge t to use thef a st-t ra ck proc ess , known  as  re con cil ia tion, topass a r ep ea lbi llwithj ust a si mp lema jor ity.Vice P resid entPe nc e  so ught to en c o urag ese nato rsin  thei r lu n chmeeting  Tuesday,  ur g ingth em  not to  give up. Sen .Mike Round sMar ion (M i k e) Micha el RoundsChamber of Com m erce en dor ses M cSal ly for re ele ctionSen a te GOP  eyesearly  e xit S enate R ep ubl ic ans signal o pen nessto  wor king wi th Biden MORE (R-S . D.)  said Republi can s st i l lwan t  t o  ac to n h e a lth care before  the Congr es s  e nds in Jan u ary  2 019.

I n the m eanti m e, Obam aCare rem ains thela w of t heland — and  with ju st as muc h  unce r ta inty. 

S enator swho  help ed thw a rtthe l atestre peal b ill,in cludingSusan Collins Susan Mar garetColli nsG raham: GO P w i llconfirm T rump 's Supreme  Co urt  nomi nee befor e th e  e lec t ion G ardn e r signals su ppo r t  f or taking u p S upr eme C our t  nomin ee t his year Tumultuo u s court battle  upe n d s f igh t  for  S enate MORE (R- Mai ne ) and John  M cCain JohnSidney M cC a inBid en's s ix bes t betsi n  2 0 16 Tru mp s tat es Replac ing  J u stice G in sb u rg cou ld d ep end on  Arizo n a'sn e xt senator The H ill's M ornin g  Re port-Sponsor e d by  Facebook- Washingto n on e dgeamidSCOTUSva cancyMOR E(R-Ariz.), are pushi ng fo r Sen.La marAle xander  And r e w (La mar)  L ama r Alexand e r Gr a ha m: GOP  wil l con fi rm T rump's Su p reme Cou rtn omineebe for e the el e ct i o n The Hill 
 tax_reform, even_if it requires putting_health care_on_the backburner.

Some_Republicans_this week floated_combining tax reform_and ObamaCare repeal into_one bill, but_that_idea was quickly shot down.

“Heavens, no. We’re not going to do that,” said Sen._Orrin_Hatch Orrin_Grant_HatchBottom_line Bottom line Senate GOP_divided over whether they'd fill_Supreme Court_vacancy MORE (R-Utah), chairman of the Senate Finance_Committee._“It would just_screw up the whole thing.”

Lawmakers warned that combining the_two bills could jeopardize a tax_overhaul the economy_desperately_needs.

Theoretically,_Republicans could pass tax_reform in early 2018 and return_immediately to health care. But that_timeline seems unlikely.

It would thrust health care_into the middle of the midterm_election season, a time when_it is_hard for any major legislation_— let alone_something as_controversial as ObamaCare_repeal — to pass. Further complicating_the schedule, lawmakers_will likely spend much of their_time_in 2018 on_the_campaign_trail.

That means_Republicans will likely_have_to wait_until_the 2019 budget to use the_fast-track_process, known as reconciliation, to pass a_repeal bill with just_a_simple majority.

Vice President Pence_sought to encourage senators in_their lunch meeting Tuesday, urging them_not to_give up._Sen. Mike Rounds Marion (Mike) Michael RoundsChamber of Commerce endorses McSally_for reelection Senate GOP eyes early_exit Senate Republicans signal_openness to_working_with Biden MORE_(R-S.D.)_said Republicans_still want to act on health care_before the_Congress ends in January 2019.

In the_meantime, ObamaCare remains the_law_of the land — and with_just as much uncertainty.

Senators who helped_thwart the latest repeal bill,_including_Susan_Collins Susan Margaret CollinsGraham: GOP_will confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee_before the election_Gardner signals support for taking up Supreme_Court_nominee this year Tumultuous court battle_upends_fight for Senate MORE (R-Maine) and_John_McCain_John Sidney McCainBiden's six best_bets in 2016 Trump states Replacing_Justice Ginsburg could depend on Arizona's next senator The_Hill's Morning Report_- Sponsored by Facebook -_Washington_on_edge amid SCOTUS vacancy MORE (R-Ariz.), are pushing for Sen._Lamar Alexander_Andrew (Lamar) Lamar_AlexanderGraham: GOP will confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee before the_election The Hill