BRIGGS: Welcome back. Senate Republicans returning from the holiday recess this morning and ready to get back to work on health care reform. But it seems no one is optimistic about getting a plan passed. One idea back on the table now that's repealing Obamacare without immediately replacing it. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician, calling that idea being pushed by the president a non- starter.</s>ROMANS: And this from Iowa GOP Senator Chuck Grassley, "52 Republican senators should be ashamed that we have not passed health reform by now. We won't be ashamed. We will go from majority to minority." One thing is clear, Republicans can't seem to get on the same page when it comes to reforming health care. Listen to Senators Ted Cruz and John McCain on the prospects for getting a deal done.</s>SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: If you shut out the adversary or the opposite party, you're going to end up the same way Obamacare did when they rammed it through with 60 votes, only guess what, we don't have 60 votes. To my view, it's probably going to be dead.</s>SEN. TED CRUZ (R), TEXAS: If we can't get this done right now, I agree with the president, then let's honor the promise on repeal and spend more time to get it done. I believe we can get it done. I think there's an agreement. My objective for the last six months helping lead the working group on health care has been to reach consensus to bring together and unify the Republican conference and the way we do it is focusing like a laser.</s>BRIGS: President Trump sounding like it's now or never on twitter late last night tweeting, "For years even as a civilian I listened as Republicans pushed the repeal and replace of Obamacare. Now they finally have their chance."</s>ROMANS: All right, 18 minutes past the hour this Monday morning. Iraq is declaring a significant victory in the liberation of Mosul this morning. The Iraqi military rolling back one of ISIS biggest victories. We're going to CNN's Nick Paton Walsh in Iraq on the ground for us next.
Senate Back on Health Care Reform