House Speaker Paul Ryan said it was his policy not to comment on when a vote would be held. | AP Photo Paul Ryan: We're 'extremely close' to having the votes to pass Obamacare repeal

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Wednesday that Republicans are “extremely close” to having enough votes to pass legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act but would not say whether or not the legislation would come up for a vote this week.

In an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, the speaker said it was his policy not to comment on when a vote would be held. He also declined to offer a specific whip count on the measure, but said productive negotiations among Republicans are ongoing.


“We’re going to bring them up when we get the votes. We’re getting extremely close. We’re having very, very productive conversations with our members,” Ryan said. “The president’s having good conversations with our members. The vice president is. His whole staff is involved. And so I feel very good about the progress we’re making and we’ll make the announcement when we make the announcement.”

After Republicans failed in March to generate enough support among their own caucus for repeal-and-replace legislation, pressure has built once again on the GOP to pass the bill through the House this week or else risk squandering momentum as members return home to their districts for a recess. The White House, too, has been eager to secure a major legislative victory and has pressured Republican leadership to move the bill along.

And whereas the previous push to undo Obamacare was ultimately scuttled mostly by arch-conservative members of the GOP caucus who felt the repeal-and-replace measure didn’t go far enough, it is not the party’s more moderate wing balking at the legislation. An amendment popular with conservatives that would imperil coverage mandates for individuals with preexisting conditions could make the legislation too difficult to stomach for more centrist Republicans.

In an effort to strike a compromise, Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) will reportedly introduce an amendment Wednesday that will offer financial help to those with preexisting conditions who might otherwise face adverse consequences from the repeal-and-replace measure. Ryan, seemingly still bullish on the legislation, insisted that Upton’s amendment is a productive step towards bridging the gap within the GOP.

“Fred Upton’s, actually, his amendment that he’s working on is something that nobody has a problem with, and it’s actually helping. Fred Upton identified something that he thinks will make the bill better that is mutually agreed to by people from all parts of our conference,” the speaker said. “What we’re doing is listening to our members, finding where that sweet spot of consensus is and driving there.”