"The failure to pass a new healthcare proposal in the House has hurt the Republican Party and President Trump. There are three basic things that America needs from a fair healthcare plan. First, a reasonable cost - working people cannot be punished with high insurance premiums. Second, that the poor who cannot afford insurance are given access to healthcare, with Medicaid perhaps being the best way. And third, that all Americans are protected from medical catastrophe. So if I were a sitting Republican congressman, how would I vote on the new proposal to replace Obamacare? Well it's impossible to know if the proposed new law would lower costs for everyone, but if health insurance companies are eventually allowed to compete all across America, market forces would likely bring the cost down. Also, what good does it do the Republican Party and the president to oppose the first proposal the House put forth? It seems logical that you move the process along and then at the end when the entire bill is before you, you vote your conscience. But by throwing the whole thing out for ideological reasons, nothing is accomplished other than Republicans looking bad. The big reveal here is that conservative Republicans who voted against the new proposal will not compromise. The bigger picture is this President Trump was hurt by the healthcare vote, but it's not a catastrophe as all presidents lose on major issues. The administration would be wise to move along and try to get a new tax code. That issue should unite all Republicans, who believe the free marketplace is the way to provide prosperity for Americans. If some Republicans oppose lower taxes, that will be stunning. But the president needs to move quickly. The tax reduction plan should become clear in early May. We need new tax rates for both workers and corporations, and we need to phase out deductions that only benefit the very wealthy. That doesn't seem to be too much to ask Congress to do."

The Factor asked Charles Krauthammer for his thoughts on the failed health care proposal. "You are underestimating the damage done to Trump," Dr. K declared, "by the spectacular implosion of this proposal. This was a major proposal and a seven-year promise by Republicans. Not only President Trump was hurt, but also the Republican Party. I am with you that Republicans in the House should have voted yes and sent the bill to the Senate, they made a huge tactical mistake. When this comes back, as it will, I recommend that Republicans put everything in the House bill." The Factor groused, "The chess game goes on in Congress and the folks get hurt."

For another view of the situation, The Factor turned to former Obama adviser Austan Goolsbee. "The Republican Freedom Caucus folks have been hollering and screaming for eight years," he observed, "and only now do you recognize that these guys are being unreasonable? The Republicans are demonstrating that they can't govern and Donald Trump will have to figure out some way to put together a governing coalition." Goolsbee predicted that President Trump may also have a problem enacting tax cuts. "They have no way to pay for tax cuts and they will blow up the deficit. Donald Trump ran without giving any specifics, he wasn't being serious, and now I don't see how he'll be able to pay for tax cuts."

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has starkly warned sanctuary cities that they risk losing funds if they don't follow federal law. Katie Pavlich and Mary Anne Marsh debated the issue. "We have tolerated sanctuary cities for a long time," Pavlich complained, "and I hope Attorney General Sessions is real about his threats. If they're going to withhold funding from sanctuary cities, they should not be bluffing. ICE is simply asking local law enforcement to hold illegal aliens with serious criminal records." But Marsh questioned whether the Justice Department can actually punish sanctuary cities. "Jeff Sessions talks about withholding funds, but he does not have the authority to do that. It is up to Congress to make the changes on those grants. What's most disgusting is that the immigration system is broken and no one is trying to fix it."

The Factor welcomed House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, who has been in the middle of a political crossfire. Nunes reported that FBI boss James Comey and NSA head Mike Rogers have backed out of a scheduled closed-door appearance before his committee. "We don't know exactly why they didn't want to show up this week," he said, "but we hope they will come in the future. There are more than 100 questions that they could not answer in an open setting, so we wanted to have them in a classified setting." Nunes laid out exactly what his committee is pursuing right now. "We have long had an investigation going on regarding Russia and Putin's intention and we are investigating leaks as they relate to Russia. Last week I also found out that there was additional information that has nothing to do with Russia, but has to do with whether Americans were properly masked in surveillance operations."

Veteran newsman Ted Koppel, now working for CBS, confronted Sean Hannity and claimed that Hannity's conservative opinion show is bad for America. Brit Hume weighed in on Koppel's obvious enmity toward cable TV news. "I have always admired Ted Koppel," Hume began, "but he came up in an era when there were only the three network news programs and the Sunday morning programs. That is the era in which he is comfortable, but this is a different universe now. There is news and talk all day long and our evenings are the op-ed pages of TV news." The Factor added, "Most of the network news guys in the past were social liberals and they resent the Fox News Channel's overwhelming success."

In the wake of the Neil Gorsuch hearings, Jesse Watters hit the bricks to ask some folks what they know about the highest court in the land. A few of their replies: "I know nothing" ... "I haven't really heard about the hearings." Tellingly, most of the people he interviewed did not even know how many justices are on the Supreme Court, had no idea that John Roberts is the Chief Justice, and could not name a single member of the court.

Breda O'Shea, Cork, Ireland: "My mother emigrated legally to the United States in the 1950s. She worked hard, saved money, and returned to Ireland in the 1970s. I support President Trump's campaign to regulate immigration. Although here you can get lynched for saying that."

Jim Prulett, Fort Thomas, KY: "Hey Bill, I will bet you a dinner that nothing will ever come of this surveillance controversy. This will go the way of the IRS scandal where nobody paid a price."

A charity called Brotherhood for the Fallen helps families of police officers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty. You can learn more at www.BrotherhoodNYC.org