Rand Paul had ‘great time’ golfing with Trump, ‘getting closer’ on healthcare

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) tweeted that he had a productive meeting with President Trump, after the senator traveled with the president to his golf club in Virginia on Sunday.

“I had a great time today with @realDonaldTrump,” Paul tweeted, “and believe we are getting closer to an agreement on health care!”

I had a great time today with @realDonaldTrump and believe we are getting closer to an agreement on health care!

— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 2, 2017

Paul was spotted with Trump Sunday morning on the way to Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Va., for a round of golf, during which the White House said the pair, along with White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney, would discuss a “variety of topics,” including healthcare.

{mosads}“We had a great day with the president,” Paul told the White House press pool upon returning to the White House Sunday afternoon. “Played some golf, and we talked and we talked about a little bit of healthcare. I continue to be very optimistic that we are getting closer and closer to an agreement on repealing ObamaCare.” 

The president tweeted earlier Sunday that “talks on Repealing and Replacing ObamaCare are, and have been, going on.”

Talks on Repealing and Replacing ObamaCare are, and have been, going on, and will continue until such time as a deal is hopefully struck.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 2, 2017

The Kentucky Republican clashed with the president over the Republicans’ initial plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare, which Republican leaders ultimately pulled in defeat before there was a vote. Paul was among the lawmakers adamant that the bill would not have enough support in the House or the Senate.

Paul had knocked the plan as “ObamaCare lite” and insisted that conservatives in Congress would not have allowed it to pass. 

Prior to the bill’s defeat, Trump tweeted that he believed Paul would “come along” with Republicans on their healthcare proposal.  

I feel sure that my friend @RandPaul will come along with the new and great health care program because he knows Obamacare is a disaster!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 8, 2017

On return to WH @RandPaul said it was “a great day” golfing with the Pres. “Very optimistic” nearing agreement on repealing ObamaCare.” pic.twitter.com/x9CTWeEZ4v

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) April 2, 2017