Mitch McConnell: 'Time to move on' after Donald Trump and Republicans dealt another defeat on Obamacare repeal

Senate Majority Leader makes the remarks during an emotional speech after the 'skinny repeal' is voted down 51-49

The Senate Majority Leader has said “it is time to move on” after Donald Trump’s attempts to repeal Obamacare were handed another blow.

Mitch McConnell made the remarks during an emotional speech on the floor of the senate after the so-called “skinny repeal” was voted down 51-49.

Although he described the repeal as the “right thing for the country”, Mr McConnell said it was time to move on to the next item on the agenda.

“This is clearly a disappointing moment,” Mr McConnell said, according to the Hill.

“I regret that our efforts were simply not enough this time. Now, I imagine many of our colleagues on the other side are celebrating. Probably pretty happy about all this. But the American people are hurting, and they need relief.”

Mr McConnell then took aim at the Democrats, all of whom voted against the bill.

"Now I think it's appropriate to ask, what are their ideas? It'll be interesting to see what they suggest as the way forward,” he said.

The bill was voted down because three Republican senators, John McCain, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, voted against the move.

Mr McCain, who only returned to Washington this week after a diagnosis of brain cancer, told reporters to “wait for the show” before he arrived for the vote in the Senate chamber.

He said he voted against the healthcare bill because it would not "accomplish the goal" of effectively replacing Obamacare.

“From the beginning, I have believed that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced with a solution that increases competition, lowers costs, and improves care for the American people. The so-called ‘skinny repeal’ amendment the Senate voted on today would not accomplish those goals,” he said in a statement.