Watch Replay: Sean Spicer Discusses Health Care Bill At Briefing

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer held a televised briefing with reporters Tuesday afternoon. The Republican health care bill was the primary topic of discussion.

Reporters were keen to question the press secretary about the Congressional Budget Office report published Monday night, which predicted that the GOP health care bill will add 24 million people to the ranks of the uninsured by 2026. Questions about the continued investigations into President Trump's accusation that President Obama had Trump Tower under surveillance also loomed over the briefing.

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Spicer began by rolling out a talking point he had trial ballooned earlier, casting doubt on the CBO's report. He argued its predictions about health care coverage rates have historically been mistaken. He also said it doesn't take into account the administration's three-pronged approached to reforming health care — which, of course, it couldn't, because the other "prongs" have not yet been announced.

But he also tried to tout the CBO's finding that the bill would reduce the deficit. He praised the CBO's ability to measure the budget, while dismissing its ability to predict coverage rates.

"They’re pretty good at dollars, not so good at people," Spicer said.

Spicer also argued that Obamacare is failing anyway, so it's not even fair to compare the GOP's bill to current law. However, the CBO predicted that Obamacare markets would largely stabilize in the next few years.

Spicer could not provide comments on the president's meeting with Saudi Arabian leaders, because the meeting reportedly had not concluded before the briefing began.

Asked whether the administration's plan would actually "cover everyone," as Trump promised multiple times that his proposal would, Spicer refused to answer directly, giving roundabout and somewhat conflicting answers. He reiterated his view that Obamacare is currently insufficient, without explaining how and to what extent the new bill would "cover everyone."

Eventually, Spicer seemed to admit that, without the mandate, millions of people will likely end up without coverage — but his long, rambling answers were not particularly clear on this point.

Spicer also argued that while the White House would not estimate how many would have coverage under the bill, "common sense" sense says more choice and competition would open up more access for people.

The bill will not be called "Trumpcare" by the White House, Spicer said — just as the Obama White House didn't call the Affordable Care Act "Obamacare." However, he said that the president is "proud" of the bill.

In response to Republicans who are skeptical of passing the bill, Spicer said, "This is it. If we don’t get this through, the goal of repealing Obamacare is … going to be incredibly difficult." He stopped just short of saying there would be no other opportunity to undo Obamacare.

"Doing nothing is not a choice," he said later.

Spicer was also asked about the continuing congressional investigation into Trump's claims of wiretapping. While he did not provide any evidence for this claim, he said the president was "extremely confident" that the investigation would vindicate him.

Spicer dismissed speculation, first raised by senior counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway, that microwaves may have been used to spy on Trump Tower.

Watch a replay of the briefing below.

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