Donors frustrated with Senate Republicans over their inability to repeal ObamaCare are withholding more than $2 million in planned contributions to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, two GOP sources told CNN.
Officials told the network that the GOP is concerned with voters' frustration going into the midterm elections in 2018.
Sources also told CNN that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellThe Hill's Morning Report — Presented by Facebook — Washington, Wall Street on edge about coronavirus Overnight Energy: Murkowski, Manchin unveil major energy bill | Lawmakers grill EPA chief over push to slash agency's budget | GOP lawmaker accuses Trump officials of 'playing politics' over Yucca Mountain Lawmakers race to pass emergency coronavirus funding MORE (R-Ky.) has been warning leadership and the party's donors not to take the party's 52-48 Senate majority for granted.
While Democrats are on the defensive to hold 25 of the 33 Senate seats up for reelection, a serious drop in Republican funding would damage their efforts in vulnerable states.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee currently holds a financial advantage going into the midterms, CNN noted, with $17.2 million in cash-on-hand as compared with $16.2 million for the Republican committee.
Senate Republicans in July failed to pass a "skinny repeal," a revised and downscaled version of legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act, casting doubt as to whether they can fulfill campaign promises made over the past several years.
Sen. John McCain
John Sidney McCainFox's Britt McHenry confirms brain tumor, says she's got 'amazing medical team' President Trump is weak against Bernie Sanders in foreign affairs Appeals court refuses to throw out Joe Arpaio's guilty verdict after Trump pardon MORE (R-Ariz.) returned to the Capitol after his recent brain cancer diagnosis to cast the deciding vote to kill the legislation. McCain then gave a speech on the Senate floor calling for bipartisan discussion over healthcare reform.
The Senate earlier had narrowly voted to move forward on the debate over healthcare reform, with Vice President Pence breaking a tie on the issue.
