As Senate GOP leaders work on healthcare reform, their relationship with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, could play a key role, reports The Washington Post.
Here are five things to know.
1. Senate leaders are increasingly close to having a healthcare bill ready to repeal and replace the ACA.
2. However, it is uncertain whether conservative Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, will get behind the legislation, and conservative organizations contend proposals from Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., are not far enough to the right, according to the report.
3. Should senators vote by party line, the GOP can only afford two Republicans defect to still win a majority vote. With Mr. Paul and Mr. Lee on the fence, senate leadership are turning to Mr. Cruz. The senator, who faces reelection next year and in the past sparred with Senate GOP leaders, has indicated his willingness to negotiate on the bill, according to the report.
4. On Monday, Mr. Cruz said "a lot of work remains" on the healthcare bill, but discussions have been "productive," reports The Washington Post.
"I've said from Day One that I want to get to yes," Mr. Cruz said. "The consequences would be terrible to fail." But he added: "Even worse than not passing a bill is passing a bill that makes the problems worse."
5. In the end, some conservative activists hope Mr. Cruz can help go further in dismantling the ACA, according to the report.
Read the full report here.