Trump claims victory on repealing Obamacare, but he still has a long way to go

WASHINGTON – President Trump took a televised victory lap Thursday after the House voted to pass a bill that would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act – an unusual Rose Garden ceremony considering that final victory remains miles away.

"It's going to be an unbelievable victory, actually, when we get it through the Senate," Trump said while surrounded by some four dozen House Republicans gathered at the White House.

Lawmakers took buses from Capitol Hill to celebrate in the Rose Garden just minutes after the winning the health care bill by just four votes. The final 217-213 tally ended months of struggle to reach an agreement that would pass even in the Republican-controlled chamber.

Trump and the Republicans clapped, cheered, and generally whooped it up as a succession of House leaders spoke at what amounted to a political pep rally, the kind of event normally reserved for a bill signing, not after passage in just one house of Congress.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who had made his way to the Oval Office before Trump's remarks, appeared in a jovial mood; he could be seen laughing and shaking hands with the president and aides with whom he had clashed during the health care debate. During the event, Ryan echoed other GOP lawmakers by saying that more work is needed "to get this signed into law."

Indeed, the celebration could be somewhat premature.

The Senate must now pass its own bill to repeal and replace President Obama's health care law – and that's no slam dunk.

The final version of the House bill only surfaced in the past few days, and congressional budget officials have yet to analyze its costs and impact on people's ability to obtain insurance. Even if the Senate does approve its own health care bill, it must reconcile the differences with the House version. And there's no way to tell if a compromise package would get enough support from House conservatives.

Trump, however, said "we want to brag about the plan," and he expressed confidence that the Senate would eventually pass it.

Stressing that he pledged to repeal Obamacare during his presidential campaign, Trump cited his electoral success and reminded his fellow Republicans he has only been a politician for a short period of time.

"How am I doing?" Trump said. "OK, I'm President! Hey, I'm President! do you believe it? Right?"

Yet Democrats who back Obamacare mocked the early GOP celebration, saying there's a difference between winning a title and barely squeezing into the playoffs.

"This is the political equivalent of a champagne celebration after clinching the wild-card spot," tweeted Tommy Vietor, a former Obama aide. "It's far from over, fellas."

Trump administration officials said they are aware a long journey lies ahead.

Sensing the challenges ahead, Vice President Pence told the Republican crowd: "Welcome to the beginning of the end of Obamacare."

As White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders put it, "Today is about the House. This is the first step in the process."