U.S. health officials will ban most flavored e-cigarettes popular with underage teenagers, but with major exceptions that benefit vaping manufacturers, retailers and adults who use the nicotine-emitting devices.

The Trump administration announced Thursday that it will prohibit fruit, candy, mint and dessert flavors from small, cartridge-based e-cigarettes that are popular with high school students.

But menthol and tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes will be allowed to remain on the market.

The flavor ban will also entirely exempt large, tank-based vaping devices, which are primarily sold in vape shops that cater to adult smokers.

Associated Press health reporter Matthew Perrone explains that together, the two exemptions represent a significant retreat from President Donald Trump's original plan announced four months ago.

"This is a big step back from what Trump said he was going to do in September when he said that they going to ban all flavors in all types of products," said Perrone.

"There are a number of carve outs here that seem to be favorable to industry who have been lobbying him pretty aggressively in recent months, not to ban all these flavors."

The new policy will preserve a significant portion of the multibillion-dollar vaping market.

And the changes are likely to please both the largest e-cigarette manufacturer, Juul Labs, and thousands of vape shop owners who sell the tank-based systems, which allow users to mix customized flavors.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that typically heat a flavored nicotine solution into an inhalable aerosol.

They have been pitched to adults as a less-harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, but there is limited data on their ability to help smokers quit.

The Food and Drug Administration has struggled for years to find the appropriate approach to regulating vaping. Under current law, all e-cigarettes are supposed to undergo an FDA review beginning in May. Only those that can demonstrate a benefit for U.S. public health will be permitted to stay on the market.

The flavor ban applies to e-cigarettes that use pre-filled nicotine cartridges mainly sold at gas stations and convenience stores.

Juul is the biggest player in that market, but it previously pulled all of its flavors except menthol and tobacco after coming under intense political scrutiny. Many smaller manufacturers continue to sell sweet, fruity flavors like “grape slushie,” “strawberry cotton candy” and “sea salt blueberry."

The flavor restrictions won't affect the larger specialty devices sold at vape shops, which typically don't admit customers under 21.

These tank-based systems allow users to fill the device with the flavor of their choice. Sales of these devices represent an estimated 40% of the U.S. vaping business, with sales across some 15,000 to 19,000 shops.

"Today's announcement taking a number of these flavors off the market, A number of products is actually a pretty huge step from what came before," said Perrone.

"E-cigarettes and vaping have been pretty much unregulated in the US for many years, and FDA is still trying to figure out how exactly they're going to regulate this space.

In the latest government survey, more than 1 in 4 high school students reported using e-cigarettes in the previous month, despite federal law banning sales to those under 18. Late last month Trump signed a law raising the minimum age to purchase all tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21 nationwide.

ARCHIVE: New York - 18 September 2019

1. Various of people vaping

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"The Trump administration is banning most flavors in small cartridge based e-cigarettes that are popular with teens, but they're keeping flavors available for products that a lot of adults use and that are sold in vape shops."

ARCHIVE: New York - 18 September 2019

3. Various of products on a table

ARCHIVE: Biddeford, Maine - 3 September 2019

4. STILL of electronic cigarette pods displayed for sale in shop

ARCHIVE: San Francisco - 17 June 2019

5. STILL of cashier displaying a packet of tobacco-flavored Juul pods

ARCHIVE: New York - 16 September 2019

6. Sign of advertising nicotine content of Juul vaping products

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"This is a big step back from what Trump said he was going to do in September when he said that they going to ban all flavors in all types of products. There are a number of carve outs here that seem to be favorable to industry who have been lobbying him pretty aggressively in recent months, not to ban all these flavors."

ARCHIVE: New York - 18 September 2019

8. Various of couple vaping

9. Various of people vaping

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"When Trump first announced that he was planning to ban nearly all flavors, there was a lot more pressure on the federal government at the time. There was an outbreak of lung illnesses tied to vaping. We now know that that problem was tied to illegal marijuana based vaping products. So there's a little less pressure on the federal government now that that's been determined."

ARCHIVE: Washington DC - 22 November 2019

11. President Donald Trump in listening session at the White House on vaping

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"This is a very big subject and it's a very complex subject. Probably a little bit less compless than some people think. But I'm here to listen and I have very divergent views."

13. Cutaway of listening session

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"E-cigarettes and vaping have been pretty much unregulated in the US for many years, and FDA is still trying to figure out how exactly they're going to regulate this space. So today's announcement taking a number of these flavors off the market, a number of products is actually a pretty huge step from what came before."

ARCHIVE: New York - 16 September 2019

15. Various of Jubilee Vape and Smoke in New York CIty

16. Various of vaping solution and vaporizers on shelf of store

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"This is an announcement that almost no one is going to be entirely happy with it. I think probably the most disappointed will be the health groups, anti-tobacco groups. They wanted Trump to ban all flavors. They think the flavors are what attracts kids to e-cigarettes and vaping. So leaving some of these flavors on the market in any form, they're going to, they're going to view as a failing of the Trump administration."

ARCHIVE: New York - 16 September 2019

18. Various vaporizers on the shelf at NYC Smoke Shop

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"Today's announcement will allow Trump to say that he took action on teen vaping, and that's probably a political win. I think he's going to continue to be pressured by the vaping industry. They have a deadline coming up next year for all of their products to be reviewed by the FDA. They want that pushed back or eliminated entirely. So you're going to continue to see lobbying and pressure from the vaping industry in Washington."

ARCHIVE: Marietta, Georgia - 5 May 2016

20. Various of people smoking e-cigarette

U.S. health officials will ban most flavored e-cigarettes popular with underage teenagers, but with major exceptions that benefit vaping manufacturers, retailers and adults who use the nicotine-emitting devices.

The Trump administration announced Thursday that it will prohibit fruit, candy, mint and dessert flavors from small, cartridge-based e-cigarettes that are popular with high school students.

But menthol and tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes will be allowed to remain on the market.

The flavor ban will also entirely exempt large, tank-based vaping devices, which are primarily sold in vape shops that cater to adult smokers.

Associated Press health reporter Matthew Perrone explains that together, the two exemptions represent a significant retreat from President Donald Trump's original plan announced four months ago.

"This is a big step back from what Trump said he was going to do in September when he said that they going to ban all flavors in all types of products," said Perrone.

"There are a number of carve outs here that seem to be favorable to industry who have been lobbying him pretty aggressively in recent months, not to ban all these flavors."

The new policy will preserve a significant portion of the multibillion-dollar vaping market.

And the changes are likely to please both the largest e-cigarette manufacturer, Juul Labs, and thousands of vape shop owners who sell the tank-based systems, which allow users to mix customized flavors.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that typically heat a flavored nicotine solution into an inhalable aerosol.

They have been pitched to adults as a less-harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, but there is limited data on their ability to help smokers quit.

The Food and Drug Administration has struggled for years to find the appropriate approach to regulating vaping. Under current law, all e-cigarettes are supposed to undergo an FDA review beginning in May. Only those that can demonstrate a benefit for U.S. public health will be permitted to stay on the market.

The flavor ban applies to e-cigarettes that use pre-filled nicotine cartridges mainly sold at gas stations and convenience stores.

Juul is the biggest player in that market, but it previously pulled all of its flavors except menthol and tobacco after coming under intense political scrutiny. Many smaller manufacturers continue to sell sweet, fruity flavors like “grape slushie,” “strawberry cotton candy” and “sea salt blueberry."

The flavor restrictions won't affect the larger specialty devices sold at vape shops, which typically don't admit customers under 21.

These tank-based systems allow users to fill the device with the flavor of their choice. Sales of these devices represent an estimated 40% of the U.S. vaping business, with sales across some 15,000 to 19,000 shops.

"Today's announcement taking a number of these flavors off the market, A number of products is actually a pretty huge step from what came before," said Perrone.

"E-cigarettes and vaping have been pretty much unregulated in the US for many years, and FDA is still trying to figure out how exactly they're going to regulate this space.

In the latest government survey, more than 1 in 4 high school students reported using e-cigarettes in the previous month, despite federal law banning sales to those under 18. Late last month Trump signed a law raising the minimum age to purchase all tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21 nationwide.

ARCHIVE: New York - 18 September 2019

1. Various of people vaping

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"The Trump administration is banning most flavors in small cartridge based e-cigarettes that are popular with teens, but they're keeping flavors available for products that a lot of adults use and that are sold in vape shops."

ARCHIVE: New York - 18 September 2019

3. Various of products on a table

ARCHIVE: Biddeford, Maine - 3 September 2019

4. STILL of electronic cigarette pods displayed for sale in shop

ARCHIVE: San Francisco - 17 June 2019

5. STILL of cashier displaying a packet of tobacco-flavored Juul pods

ARCHIVE: New York - 16 September 2019

6. Sign of advertising nicotine content of Juul vaping products

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"This is a big step back from what Trump said he was going to do in September when he said that they going to ban all flavors in all types of products. There are a number of carve outs here that seem to be favorable to industry who have been lobbying him pretty aggressively in recent months, not to ban all these flavors."

ARCHIVE: New York - 18 September 2019

8. Various of couple vaping

9. Various of people vaping

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"When Trump first announced that he was planning to ban nearly all flavors, there was a lot more pressure on the federal government at the time. There was an outbreak of lung illnesses tied to vaping. We now know that that problem was tied to illegal marijuana based vaping products. So there's a little less pressure on the federal government now that that's been determined."

ARCHIVE: Washington DC - 22 November 2019

11. President Donald Trump in listening session at the White House on vaping

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"This is a very big subject and it's a very complex subject. Probably a little bit less compless than some people think. But I'm here to listen and I have very divergent views."

13. Cutaway of listening session

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"E-cigarettes and vaping have been pretty much unregulated in the US for many years, and FDA is still trying to figure out how exactly they're going to regulate this space. So today's announcement taking a number of these flavors off the market, a number of products is actually a pretty huge step from what came before."

ARCHIVE: New York - 16 September 2019

15. Various of Jubilee Vape and Smoke in New York CIty

16. Various of vaping solution and vaporizers on shelf of store

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"This is an announcement that almost no one is going to be entirely happy with it. I think probably the most disappointed will be the health groups, anti-tobacco groups. They wanted Trump to ban all flavors. They think the flavors are what attracts kids to e-cigarettes and vaping. So leaving some of these flavors on the market in any form, they're going to, they're going to view as a failing of the Trump administration."

ARCHIVE: New York - 16 September 2019

18. Various vaporizers on the shelf at NYC Smoke Shop

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"Today's announcement will allow Trump to say that he took action on teen vaping, and that's probably a political win. I think he's going to continue to be pressured by the vaping industry. They have a deadline coming up next year for all of their products to be reviewed by the FDA. They want that pushed back or eliminated entirely. So you're going to continue to see lobbying and pressure from the vaping industry in Washington."

ARCHIVE: Marietta, Georgia - 5 May 2016

20. Various of people smoking e-cigarette

President Donald Trump is allowing more employers to opt out of providing no-cost birth control to women by claiming religious or moral objections, issuing new rules Friday that take another step in rolling back the Obama healthcare law.

Employers with religious or moral qualms will also be able to cover some birth control methods, and not others. Experts said that could interfere with efforts to promote modern long-acting implantable contraceptives, such as IUDs, which are more expensive.

The new policy was a long-anticipated revision to Affordable Care Act requirements that most companies cover birth control as preventive care for women, at no additional cost. That Obama-era requirement applies to all FDA-approved methods, including the morning-after pill, which some religious conservatives call an abortion drug, though scientists say it has no effect on women who are already pregnant.

As a result of the ACA, most women no longer pay for contraceptives. Several advocacy groups immediately announced plans to try to block the Trump administration rule.

Catholic bishops called the administration's move a "return to common sense."

Trump's religious and moral exemption is expected to galvanize both his opponents and religious conservatives who back him, but it seems unlikely to have a major impact on America's largely secular workplaces.

Tens of thousands of women could be affected by Trump's policy, but the vast majority of companies have no qualms about offering birth control benefits through their health plans. Human resource managers recognise that employers get an economic benefit from helping women plan their pregnancies, since female workers are central to most enterprises.

The administration estimated that some 200 employers who have already voiced objections to the Obama-era policy would qualify for the expanded opt-out, and that 120-thousand women would be affected.

However, it's unclear how major religion-affiliated employers such as Catholic hospitals and universities will respond.

Many Catholic hospitals now rely on an Obama-era workaround under which the government pays for the cost of birth control coverage. That workaround can continue under the new rules.

Since contraception became a covered preventive benefit, the share of women employees paying with their own money for birth control pills has plunged to 3 per cent, from 21 per cent, according to the latest Kaiser Family Foundation figures.

Doctors' groups that were instrumental in derailing Republican plans to repeal the health law expressed their dismay.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said the new policy could reverse progress in lowering the nation's rate of unintended pregnancies.

The new rules take immediate effect.

Cambridge, Massachusetts – 6 October 2017

1. Close view of a mother walking with her young child and dog

2. SOUNDBITE (English): Marisa Curran, Massachusetts resident

"Contraception isn't just for people who are having mistakes. You know, it's for rape victims, it's for people who, you know, can't afford to have babies, it's important and people who are having health risks because they can't have a baby because they might die."

3. Wide view of woman pushing a child in a stroller waiting to cross the road

4. SOUNDBITE (English): Nancy Hughes, Massachusetts resident

"This administration that claims to make America great again has done the opposite in terms of human rights, definitely women's rights, people of colour and, I think, lacking in compassion and a real understanding of what American women – and women throughout the world – need, to be safe and to be able to make decisions about their bodies."

5. Couple walking with a child

San Francisco, California – 6 October 2017

6. Medium view of NARAL official Amy Everitt in office

7. Medium view of computer screen

8. Close view of computer screen

9. SOUNDBITE (English): Amy Everitt, State Director, NARAL Pro-Choice California

"In the last couple of years under Obamacare that we have had the lowest abortion rate in American since Roe v. Wade?' That is because women are able to access all different forms of contraception that works for them, that they can now afford. Now we have Trump and Mike Pence and Paul Ryan and their comrades rolling that back."

St. Anthony, Minnesota - 6 October 2017

10. Medium view of Stephani Liesmaki of the Minnesota Family Council

11. Close view of hands on computer

12. SOUNDBITE (English): Stephani Liesmaki, Communications Director, Minnesota Family Council

"Government is supposed to be the protector of America's freedoms, not it's greatest threat. And so by advancing this religious freedom protection we're simply, President Trump is simply securing a place for individuals who object to these kinds of drugs from being forced to violate their conscience."

13. Medium view of Liesmaki in office

President Donald Trump is allowing more employers to opt out of providing no-cost birth control to women by claiming religious or moral objections, issuing new rules Friday that take another step in rolling back the Obama healthcare law.

Employers with religious or moral qualms will also be able to cover some birth control methods, and not others. Experts said that could interfere with efforts to promote modern long-acting implantable contraceptives, such as IUDs, which are more expensive.

The new policy was a long-anticipated revision to Affordable Care Act requirements that most companies cover birth control as preventive care for women, at no additional cost. That Obama-era requirement applies to all FDA-approved methods, including the morning-after pill, which some religious conservatives call an abortion drug, though scientists say it has no effect on women who are already pregnant.

As a result of the ACA, most women no longer pay for contraceptives. Several advocacy groups immediately announced plans to try to block the Trump administration rule.

Catholic bishops called the administration's move a "return to common sense."

Trump's religious and moral exemption is expected to galvanize both his opponents and religious conservatives who back him, but it seems unlikely to have a major impact on America's largely secular workplaces.

Tens of thousands of women could be affected by Trump's policy, but the vast majority of companies have no qualms about offering birth control benefits through their health plans. Human resource managers recognise that employers get an economic benefit from helping women plan their pregnancies, since female workers are central to most enterprises.

The administration estimated that some 200 employers who have already voiced objections to the Obama-era policy would qualify for the expanded opt-out, and that 120-thousand women would be affected.

However, it's unclear how major religion-affiliated employers such as Catholic hospitals and universities will respond.

Many Catholic hospitals now rely on an Obama-era workaround under which the government pays for the cost of birth control coverage. That workaround can continue under the new rules.

Since contraception became a covered preventive benefit, the share of women employees paying with their own money for birth control pills has plunged to 3 per cent, from 21 per cent, according to the latest Kaiser Family Foundation figures.

Doctors' groups that were instrumental in derailing Republican plans to repeal the health law expressed their dismay.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said the new policy could reverse progress in lowering the nation's rate of unintended pregnancies.

The new rules take immediate effect.

Cambridge, Massachusetts – 6 October 2017

1. Close view of a mother walking with her young child and dog

2. SOUNDBITE (English): Marisa Curran, Massachusetts resident

"Contraception isn't just for people who are having mistakes. You know, it's for rape victims, it's for people who, you know, can't afford to have babies, it's important and people who are having health risks because they can't have a baby because they might die."

3. Wide view of woman pushing a child in a stroller waiting to cross the road

4. SOUNDBITE (English): Nancy Hughes, Massachusetts resident

"This administration that claims to make America great again has done the opposite in terms of human rights, definitely women's rights, people of colour and, I think, lacking in compassion and a real understanding of what American women – and women throughout the world – need, to be safe and to be able to make decisions about their bodies."

5. Couple walking with a child

San Francisco, California – 6 October 2017

6. Medium view of NARAL official Amy Everitt in office

7. Medium view of computer screen

8. Close view of computer screen

9. SOUNDBITE (English): Amy Everitt, State Director, NARAL Pro-Choice California

"In the last couple of years under Obamacare that we have had the lowest abortion rate in American since Roe v. Wade?' That is because women are able to access all different forms of contraception that works for them, that they can now afford. Now we have Trump and Mike Pence and Paul Ryan and their comrades rolling that back."

St. Anthony, Minnesota - 6 October 2017

10. Medium view of Stephani Liesmaki of the Minnesota Family Council

11. Close view of hands on computer

12. SOUNDBITE (English): Stephani Liesmaki, Communications Director, Minnesota Family Council

"Government is supposed to be the protector of America's freedoms, not it's greatest threat. And so by advancing this religious freedom protection we're simply, President Trump is simply securing a place for individuals who object to these kinds of drugs from being forced to violate their conscience."

13. Medium view of Liesmaki in office

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus128830

U.S. health officials will ban most flavored e-cigarettes popular with underage teenagers, but with major exceptions that benefit vaping manufacturers, retailers and adults who use the nicotine-emitting devices.

The Trump administration announced Thursday that it will prohibit fruit, candy, mint and dessert flavors from small, cartridge-based e-cigarettes that are popular with high school students.

But menthol and tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes will be allowed to remain on the market.

The flavor ban will also entirely exempt large, tank-based vaping devices, which are primarily sold in vape shops that cater to adult smokers.

Associated Press health reporter Matthew Perrone explains that together, the two exemptions represent a significant retreat from President Donald Trump's original plan announced four months ago.

"This is a big step back from what Trump said he was going to do in September when he said that they going to ban all flavors in all types of products," said Perrone.

"There are a number of carve outs here that seem to be favorable to industry who have been lobbying him pretty aggressively in recent months, not to ban all these flavors."

The new policy will preserve a significant portion of the multibillion-dollar vaping market.

And the changes are likely to please both the largest e-cigarette manufacturer, Juul Labs, and thousands of vape shop owners who sell the tank-based systems, which allow users to mix customized flavors.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that typically heat a flavored nicotine solution into an inhalable aerosol.

They have been pitched to adults as a less-harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, but there is limited data on their ability to help smokers quit.

The Food and Drug Administration has struggled for years to find the appropriate approach to regulating vaping. Under current law, all e-cigarettes are supposed to undergo an FDA review beginning in May. Only those that can demonstrate a benefit for U.S. public health will be permitted to stay on the market.

The flavor ban applies to e-cigarettes that use pre-filled nicotine cartridges mainly sold at gas stations and convenience stores.

Juul is the biggest player in that market, but it previously pulled all of its flavors except menthol and tobacco after coming under intense political scrutiny. Many smaller manufacturers continue to sell sweet, fruity flavors like “grape slushie,” “strawberry cotton candy” and “sea salt blueberry."

The flavor restrictions won't affect the larger specialty devices sold at vape shops, which typically don't admit customers under 21.

These tank-based systems allow users to fill the device with the flavor of their choice. Sales of these devices represent an estimated 40% of the U.S. vaping business, with sales across some 15,000 to 19,000 shops.

"Today's announcement taking a number of these flavors off the market, A number of products is actually a pretty huge step from what came before," said Perrone.

"E-cigarettes and vaping have been pretty much unregulated in the US for many years, and FDA is still trying to figure out how exactly they're going to regulate this space.

In the latest government survey, more than 1 in 4 high school students reported using e-cigarettes in the previous month, despite federal law banning sales to those under 18. Late last month Trump signed a law raising the minimum age to purchase all tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21 nationwide.

New York - 18 September 2019

1. Various of people vaping

2. Various of products on a table

3. Vaping solution on shelf of store

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"The Trump administration is banning most flavors in small cartridge based e-cigarettes that are popular with teens, but they're keeping flavors available for products that a lot of adults use and that are sold in vape shops. This is a big step back from what Trump said he was going to do in September when he said that they going to ban all flavors in all types of products. There are a number of carve outs here that seem to be favorable to industry who have been lobbying him pretty aggressively in recent months, not to ban all these flavors."

Washington DC - 22 November 2019

5. President Donald Trump in listening session at the White House on vaping

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"When Trump first announced that he was planning to ban nearly all flavors, there was a lot more pressure on the federal government at the time. There was an outbreak of lung illnesses tied to vaping. We now know that that problem was tied to illegal marijuana based vaping products. So there's a little less pressure on the federal government now that that's been determined."

ARCHIVE: New York - 18 September 2019

7. Various of couple vaping

8. Various of people vaping

Washington DC - 2 January 2020

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Reporter:

"E-cigarettes and vaping have been pretty much unregulated in the US for many years, and FDA is still trying to figure out how exactly they're going to regulate this space. So today's announcement taking a number of these flavors off the market, a number of products is actually a pretty huge step from what came before."

ARCHIVE: Marietta, Georgia - 5 May 2016

10. Various of people smoking e-cigarette

President Donald Trump held a listening session on health care in the United States at the White House on Monday.

Trump met with HHS Secretary Tom Price as well as a group of doctors and citizens who voiced their concerns over the Affordable Care Act.

Trump told reporters that "the press is making Obamacare look so good", which in fact, as he said, was "imploding."

Washington DC - 13 March 2017

1. US President Donald Trump arriving at listening session on health care

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"Secretary Price and I along with my entire administration and a lot of people in the Senate and a lot of people in the House are committed to repealing and replacing this disastrous law with a health care plan that lowers cost, expands choice and ensures access for everyone."

3. Cutaway wide of meeting

4. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're not going to have one size fits all, instead we're going to be working to unleash the power of the private marketplace to let insurers come in and compete for your business and you'll see rates go down, down, down and you'll see plans go up, up, up. You'll have a lot of choices, you'll have plans that nobody's even thinking of today. They will have plans that today nobody has even thought about. Because the market is going to, enforce that with millions and millions of people wanting health care, more competition and less regulation will finally bring down the cost of care, and I think it will bring it down very significantly, unfortunately it takes a while to get there, because you have to let that marketplace kick in, and it's going to take a little while to get there but once it does, it's going to be a thing of beauty. I wish it didn't take a year or two years but that's what's going to happen and that's the way it works. But, we're willing to go through that process. Working together we'll get the job done and I have to say this just in closing then I want to hear some of your stories and we'll let the press stay for your stories, but the press is making Obamacare look so good all of a sudden, I'm watching the news, looks so good, they show you these reports about this one gets so much and this one gets so much. First of all it covers very few people and it's imploding and '17 will be the worst year, and I said it once and I'll say it again because Obama is gone, things are going to be very bad this year for the people with Obamacare, they're going to have tremendous increases and the Republicans are frankly putting themselves in a very bad position, I tell this to Tom Price all the time, by repealing Obamacare, because people aren't going to see the truly devastating effects of Obamacare, they're not going to see the devastation in '17 and '18 and '19, it will be gone by then, whether we do it or not, it will be imploded off the map. So the press is making it look so wonderful so that if we end it, everyone's going to say 'oh remember how great Obamacare used to be, remember how wonderful it used to be. It was so great'. It's a little bit like President Obama. When he left people liked him, when he was here people didn't like him so much, that's the way life goes, that's human nature."

5. Wide of Trump

President Donald Trump held a listening session on health care in the United States at the White House on Monday.

Trump met with HHS Secretary Tom Price as well as a group of doctors and citizens who voiced their concerns over the Affordable Care Act.

Trump told reporters that 'the press is making Obamacare look so good' but urged the previous health care law is 'imploding.'

Washington DC - 13 March 2017

1. Various of Trump arriving to listening session

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"Secretary Price and I along with my entire administration and a lot of people in the Senate and a lot of people in the House are committed to repealing and replacing this disastrous law with a health care plan that lowers cost, expands choice and ensures access for everyone."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're not going to have one size fits all, instead we're going to be working to unleash the power of the private marketplace to let insurerers come in and compete for your business and you'll see rates go down, down, down and you'll see plans go up, up, up. You'll have a lot of choices, you'll have plans that nobody's even thinking of today. They will have plans that today nobody has even thought about. Because the market is going to, of course with millions of people wanting health care, more competition and less regulation will finally bring down the cost of care, and I think it will bring it down very significantly, unfortunately it takes a while to get there, because you have to let that marketplace kick in, and it's going to take a little while to get there but once it does, it's going to be a thing of beauty. I wish it didn't take a year or two years but that's what's going to happen and that's the way it works. But, we're willing to go through that process. Working together we'll get the job done and I have to say this just in closing then I want to hear some of your stories and we'll let the press stay for your stories, but the press is making Obamacare look so good all of a sudden, I'm watching the news, looks so good, they show you these reports about this one gets so much and this one gets so much. First of all it covers very few people and it's imploding and 17 will be the worst year, and I said it once and I'll say it again because Obama is gone, things are going to be very bad this year for the people with Obamacare, they're going to have tremendous increases and the Republicans are frankly putting themselves in a very bad position, I tell this to Tom Price all the time. By repealing Obamacare, because people aren't going to see the truly devastating effects of Obamacare, they're not going to see the devastation in 17 and 18 and 19, it will be gone by then, whether we do it or not, it will be imploded off the map. So the press is making it look so wonderful so that if we end it, everyone's going to say oh remember how great Obamcare used to be, remember how wonderful it used to be. It was so great, it's a little bit like President Obama. When he left people liked him, when he was here people didn't like him so much, that's the way life goes, that's human nature."

5. Cutaway

President Donald Trump held a listening session on health care in the United States at the White House on Monday.

Trump met with HHS Secretary Tom Price as well as a group of doctors and citizens who voiced their concerns over the Affordable Care Act.

Trump told reporters that 'the press is making Obamacare look so good' but urged the previous health care law is 'imploding.'

Washington DC - 13 March 2017

1. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"Secretary Price and I along with my entire administration and a lot of people in the Senate and a lot of people in the House are committed to repealing and replacing this disastrous law with a health care plan that lowers cost, expands choice and ensures access for everyone."

++WHITE FLASH++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We're not going to have one size fits all, instead we're going to be working to unleash the power of the private marketplace to let insurers come in and compete for your business and you'll see rates go down, down, down and you'll see plans go up, up, up. You'll have a lot of choices, you'll have plans that nobody's even thinking of today, they will have plans that today nobody has even thought about. Because the market is going to, of course with millions of people wanting health care, more competition and less regulation will finally bring down the cost of care, and I think it will bring it down very significantly. Unfortunately it takes a while to get there, because you have to let that marketplace kick in, and it's going to take a little while to get there but once it does, it's going to be a thing of beauty, I wish it didn't take a year or two years but that's what's going to happen and that's the way it works. But, we're willing to go through that process. Working together we'll get the job done and I have to say this just in closing then I want to hear some of your stories and we'll let the press stay for your stories, if you like. But the press is making Obamacare look so good all of a sudden, I'm watching the news, looks so good, they show you these reports about this one gets so much and this one gets so much. First of all it covers very few people and it's imploding and 17 will be the worst year, and I said it once and I'll say it again because Obama is gone, things are going to be very bad for the people with Obamacare, they're going to have tremendous increases and the Republicans are frankly putting themselves in a very bad position, I tell this to Tom Price all the time. By repealing Obamacare, because people aren't going to see the truly devastating effects of Obamacare, they're not going to see the devastation in 17 and 18 and 19, it will be gone by then, whether we do it or not, it will be imploded off the map. So the press is making it look so wonderful so that if we end it, everyone's going to say oh remember how great Obamacare used to be, remember how wonderful it used to be, it was so great. It's a little bit like President Obama. When he left people liked him, when he was here people didn't like him so much, that's the way life goes, that's human nature."

5. Cutaway

Republican Donald Trump is receiving an enthusiastic response from veterans as he criticizes Democrats and vows to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Trump is telling veterans gathered at the annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Charlotte that: "Our politicians have totally failed you."

Trump offered a 10-step fix for the VA healthcare system, including asking Congress to pass legislation giving the VA secretary more authority to remove poor employees, plus increasing outreach and the number of mental health care professionals in the system.

Clinton on Monday spoke at the same gathering and offered a scathing critique of Trump's foreign policy, casting him as too reckless to serve as the country's commander in chief.

But when Trump mentioned Clinton's name on Tuesday, it was met with shouts of "Lock her up!"

Trump jokes, "I guess she didn't do very well" with the crowd.

Republican Donald Trump is receiving an enthusiastic response from veterans as he criticizes Democrats and vows to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Trump is telling veterans gathered at the annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Charlotte that: "Our politicians have totally failed you."

Trump offered a 10-step fix for the VA healthcare system, including asking Congress to pass legislation giving the VA secretary more authority to remove poor employees, plus increasing outreach and the number of mental health care professionals in the system.

Clinton on Monday spoke at the same gathering and offered a scathing critique of Trump's foreign policy, casting him as too reckless to serve as the country's commander in chief.

But when Trump mentioned Clinton's name on Tuesday, it was met with shouts of "Lock her up!"

Trump jokes, "I guess she didn't do very well" with the crowd.

POOL

Charlotte, North Carolina - 26 July 2016

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK BETWEEN SOUNDBITES+++

1. Mid of Donald Trump walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"The veterans health system will remain a public system because it is a public trust, but never again will we allow any veteran to suffer or die waiting for care. That means veterans will have the right to go to a VA facility, or the right to see a private doctor, or clinic of their choice whatever is fastest and best for the veteran."

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"There will be no more five-day waits in line. If you are waiting in line, you're going to go to a private doctor across the street, a private or public hospital across the street or nearby and you are going to be taken care of quickly and efficiently. People are waiting in line five days, six days, seven days and many are dying. With a simple procedure they would live and they're dying because they can't even get to see their doctor. So there's not going to be anymore of that, and we will pick up the bill."

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"The other candidate in this race, you know her name, Crooked Hillary Clinton, and believe me folks, she is crooked, has a much different view. She recently said of the VA (Veterans Administration) scandal that it's not as widespread as it's been purported to be. It's like she's trying to sweep it under the rug, which by the way politicians have done for years and years and years. It's going to be four more years of the same if she ever got in. But that's not going to happen."

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"We know how she takes care of the veterans. Just look at her invasion of Libya, and her handling of Benghazi. A disaster. Or look at her emails, which put America's entire national security at risk.(Audience members "Lock her up, lock her up.")

"And to think she was here yesterday. I guess she didn't do very well."

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK+++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"We're going to bring honesty back to government, and that starts with fixing the Veterans Administration. We will fix it."

7. Mid of Trump shaking hands after speech

President Donald Trump's long-promised plan to bring down drug prices, which unveiled Friday, would mostly spare the pharmaceutical industry he previously accused of "getting away with murder." Instead he focuses on private competition and more openness to reduce America's prescription pain.

Health Care Regulation Analyst David Hyman says the proposals are "comprehensive," covering not one big thing, but rather a list of many smaller things.

And Hyman says all of these small things combined "could well add up to a big impact on drug prices."

In Rose Garden remarks at the White House, Trump called his plan the "most sweeping action in history to lower the price of prescription drugs for the American people." But it does not include his campaign pledge to use the massive buying power of the government's Medicare program to directly negotiate lower prices for seniors.

That idea has long been supported by Democrats but is a non-starter for drugmakers and most Republicans in Congress. Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas dismissed Trump's plan as "a sugar-coated nothing pill."

Instead, the administration will pursue a raft of old and new measures intended to improve competition and transparency in the notoriously complex drug pricing system. But most of the measures could take months or years to implement, and none would directly stop drugmakers from setting sky-high initial prices.

Drugmakers generally can charge as much as the market will bear because the U.S. government doesn't regulate medicine prices, unlike most other developed countries.

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

Boston, Massachusetts – 11 May 2018

1. Wide of Georgetown University Prof. David Hyman walking

2.SOUNDBITE (English) David Hyman, Health Care Regulation Analyst:

"So I think it's interesting and important that Republicans are taking a hard look at drug pricing and are proposing steps to move forward on it. The things that are proposing are more competition and more transparency on pricing as well as trying to address some of the abuses that currently make drugs more expensive than they ought to be."

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

3 . SOUNDBITE (English) David Hyman, Health Care Regulation Analyst:

"Things that are not in there are things that the Democrats have been enthusiastic about like reimportation of branded drugs from overseas and direct price negotiation. And I don't think anybody's surprised that Republicans are not keen to do those sorts of things."

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

4 . SOUNDBITE (English) David Hyman, Health Care Regulation Analyst:

"There's also an interesting initiative in there to ban gag clauses that keep pharmacists from telling individuals it would be cheaper for you to pay cash than to use your insurance coverage."

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) David Hyman, Health Care Regulation Analyst:

"So I think the surprise is how comprehensive the proposals are. They're actually trying to look at a whole bunch of different aspects of drug pricing rather than one big thing - it's a lot of small things which, as I said a moment ago, could well add up to a big impact on drug prices."

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

6 . SOUNDBITE (English) David Hyman, Health Care Regulation Analyst:

"So I think some of the things are clearly slated to go into effect relatively quickly. Others will require congressional action which will take longer and some issues they've identified as things they want to study and think about and assess them more fully."

++EDIT ENDS IN A SOUNDBITE++

President Donald Trump shifted this week from downplaying the threat of the coronavirus to positioning himself as a wartime president fortifying the nation against a foreign menace.

So far, the coronavirus has not punctured the nation's partisan political bubbles, and a fractured electorate is viewing his performance through the lens they chose long ago.

Trump supporters continue to support the president as others criticize the administration's response to the coronavirus outbreak.

"I think it seems like a partisan situation where people on the left disagree with what he's doing, people on the right agree with what he's doing," said Cliff Gephart, owner of Conservative Grounds, a Trump-themed coffee shop. Every decision the president makes, whether it's about coronavirus or about the economy or taxation. It seems like coronavirus is just another partisan, down party lines."

Gephart has created a replica of the Oval Office in his coffee shop. He proudly shows it to every visitor.

"We are a conservative coffee shop dedicated to law enforcement, military and conservative values," he says.

For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

The vast majority of people recover over a period a weeks.

Largo, Florida - 18 March 2020

1. Various of Conservative Grounds cafe interior

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Cliff Gephart, owner of Conservative Grounds:

"I think it seems like a partisan you know situation where people on the left disagree with what he's doing, people on the right agree with what he's doing. It seems like it's every decision the president makes, whether it's about coronavirus or about the economy or taxation. It seems like coronavirus is just another partisan, down party lines. Some people support him, some people don't."

3. Various of cafe interior, including staged Oval Office with Trump cutout

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Cliff Gephart, owner of Conservative Grounds:

"We're at Conservative Grounds, we are a conservative coffee shop dedicated to law enforcement, military and conservative values."

5. Pan of people inside cafe taking, posing for pictures

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Cliff Gephart, owner of Conservative Grounds:

"I don't know, I'm not qualified to say if the threat's overblown. I will say that I'm listening to the officials, I'm listening to the experts and we're trying to just deal with things how we see fit. And I don't know if the threat's overblown. I don't know. I know if I my mom had COPD, and I wouldn't want her out you know if she were still here today, so I think it's overblown maybe and if you're a healthy person and shutting down everything. But I don't know. I'm not sure that I believe it's overblown. I just know that I'm going to do what I can and we're going to just live our lives based on what we're allowed to do."

7. Various of cafe interior

President Donald Trump shifted this week from downplaying the threat of the coronavirus to positioning himself as a wartime president fortifying the nation against a foreign menace.

So far, the coronavirus has not punctured the nation's partisan political bubbles, and a fractured electorate is viewing his performance through the lens they chose long ago.

Trump supporters continue to support the president as others criticize the administration's response to the coronavirus outbreak.

"I think it seems like a partisan situation where people on the left disagree with what he's doing, people on the right agree with what he's doing," said Cliff Gephart, owner of Conservative Grounds, a Trump-themed coffee shop. Every decision the president makes, whether it's about coronavirus or about the economy or taxation. It seems like coronavirus is just another partisan, down party lines."

Gephart has created a replica of the Oval Office in his coffee shop. He proudly shows it to every visitor.

"We are a conservative coffee shop dedicated to law enforcement, military and conservative values," he says.

For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

The vast majority of people recover over a period a weeks.

Largo, Florida - 18 March 2020

1. Various of Conservative Grounds cafe interior

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Cliff Gephart, owner of Conservative Grounds:

"I think it seems like a partisan you know situation where people on the left disagree with what he's doing, people on the right agree with what he's doing. It seems like it's every decision the president makes, whether it's about coronavirus or about the economy or taxation. It seems like coronavirus is just another partisan, down party lines. Some people support him, some people don't."

3. Various of cafe interior, including staged Oval Office with Trump cutout

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Cliff Gephart, owner of Conservative Grounds:

"We're at Conservative Grounds, we are a conservative coffee shop dedicated to law enforcement, military and conservative values."

5. Pan of people inside cafe taking, posing for pictures

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Cliff Gephart, owner of Conservative Grounds:

"I don't know, I'm not qualified to say if the threat's overblown. I will say that I'm listening to the officials, I'm listening to the experts and we're trying to just deal with things how we see fit. And I don't know if the threat's overblown. I don't know. I know if I my mom had COPD, and I wouldn't want her out you know if she were still here today, so I think it's overblown maybe and if you're a healthy person and shutting down everything. But I don't know. I'm not sure that I believe it's overblown. I just know that I'm going to do what I can and we're going to just live our lives based on what we're allowed to do."

7. Various of cafe interior

President Donald Trump is celebrating the final passage of the Republican tax bill, calling it a "historic victory for the American people."

Speaking at his last Cabinet meeting of the year, Trump said he will host Congressional Republicans at the White House later Wednesday to celebrate the first major legislative victory of his administration.

The official signing ceremony will take place at a later date.

Trump said the bill provides "a tremendous amount of relief for the middle class," and claimed passage of the legislation fulfills his campaign promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

But in reality, the bill only repeals the individual mandate, which imposes a tax penalty for failing to purchase health insurance - a significant, but small part of the law - rather than the extensive legislation passed by his predecessor.

Trump-backed GOP efforts to undo the health care legislation failed repeatedly earlier this year, and congressional lawmakers are debating needed fixes to the bill to stabilize the individual marketplace.

During the Cabinet meeting, the president hailed what he called his administration's accomplishments, including eliminating a number of regulations, and growing the economy.

He also called on Congress to pass funding for his border wall with Mexico. He said the White House is looking into a number of prototypes for the wall, adding that he may be going "very shortly to look at them in their final form."

Washington, DC - 20 December 2017

1. Wide side shot of Cabinet meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"This looks like it will probably be our last Cabinet meeting until the new year, but who knows? You never know what happens with Cabinet meetings. We have had some really great and productive ones, and this will be one of celebration, because of what took place last night. We had a historic victory for the American people. It'll go through final passage today in the House."

3. Side shot of Trump speaking at Cabinet meeting

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"The heart of our bill is a tremendous amount of relief for the middle class, including a doubling of the child tax credit, and a nearly doubling of the standard deduction. That's going to be tremendous for people. They're going to start seeing the results in February. This bill means more take-home pay. It will be an incredible Christmas gift for hard-working Americans. I said I wanted to have it done before Christmas. We got it done."

5. Wide side shot of Cabinet meeting

6. Cutaway of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner sitting behind Trump at meeting

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"And then you add two things, the individual mandate is being repealed. When the individual mandate is being repealed, that means Obamacare is being repealed, right? Because they get their money from the individual mandate. So the individual mandate is being repealed. So in this bill, not only do we have massive tax cuts and tax reform, we have essentially repealed Obamacare and we'll come up with something that will be much better, whether its block grants or whether its taking what we have and doing something terrific. But Obamacare has been repealed in this bill. We didn't want to bring it up, I told people specifically, be quiet with the fake news media because I don't want them talking too much about it because I didn't know how people would, but now that it's approved, I can say the individual mandate on health care - where you had to pay not to have insurance, OK, think of that one, you pay not to have insurance - the individual mandate has been repealed."

8. Wide pan from press to president speaking

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"We're making the immigration system work for Americans. But we're cleaning out towns of those MS-13 gangsters. That's why we're calling on Congress to fund the border wall, which we're getting very close to. We're working on that. We have a great wall. We've put up, as you know, six different varieties of wall. We want to be able to see through. We have a lot of help from the Border Patrol and from the ICE agents. We're getting their input on the wall, because they -- who knows better than them? But we want vision, we want to be able to see through who's on the other side of the wall. And we have some wonderful prototypes that have been put up. And I may be going there very shortly to look at them in their final form. And we'll be building the wall and we'll be doing lots of other things."

10. Wide shot of Trump speaking

President Donald Trump is celebrating the final passage of the Republican tax bill, calling it a "historic victory for the American people."

Speaking at his last Cabinet meeting of the year, Trump said he will host Congressional Republicans at the White House later Wednesday to celebrate the first major legislative victory of his administration.

The official signing ceremony will take place at a later date.

Trump said the bill provides "a tremendous amount of relief for the middle class," and claimed passage of the legislation fulfills his campaign promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

But in reality, the bill only repeals the individual mandate, which imposes a tax penalty for failing to purchase health insurance - a significant, but small part of the law - rather than the extensive legislation passed by his predecessor.

Trump-backed GOP efforts to undo the health care legislation failed repeatedly earlier this year, and congressional lawmakers are debating needed fixes to the bill to stabilize the individual marketplace.

During the Cabinet meeting, the president hailed what he called his administration's accomplishments, including eliminating a number of regulations, and growing the economy.

He also called on Congress to pass funding for his border wall with Mexico. He said the White House is looking into a number of prototypes for the wall, adding that he may be going "very shortly to look at them in their final form."

Washington, DC - 20 December 2017

1. Wide side shot of Cabinet meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"This looks like it will probably be our last Cabinet meeting until the new year, but who knows? You never know what happens with Cabinet meetings. We have had some really great and productive ones, and this will be one of celebration, because of what took place last night. We had a historic victory for the American people. It'll go through final passage today in the House."

3. Side shot of Trump speaking at Cabinet meeting

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"The heart of our bill is a tremendous amount of relief for the middle class, including a doubling of the child tax credit, and a nearly doubling of the standard deduction. That's going to be tremendous for people. They're going to start seeing the results in February. This bill means more take-home pay. It will be an incredible Christmas gift for hard-working Americans. I said I wanted to have it done before Christmas. We got it done."

5. Wide side shot of Cabinet meeting

6. Cutaway of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner sitting behind Trump at meeting

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"And then you add two things, the individual mandate is being repealed. When the individual mandate is being repealed, that means Obamacare is being repealed, right? Because they get their money from the individual mandate. So the individual mandate is being repealed. So in this bill, not only do we have massive tax cuts and tax reform, we have essentially repealed Obamacare and we'll come up with something that will be much better, whether its block grants or whether its taking what we have and doing something terrific. But Obamacare has been repealed in this bill. We didn't want to bring it up, I told people specifically, be quiet with the fake news media because I don't want them talking too much about it because I didn't know how people would, but now that it's approved, I can say the individual mandate on health care - where you had to pay not to have insurance, OK, think of that one, you pay not to have insurance - the individual mandate has been repealed."

8. Wide pan from press to president speaking

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"We're making the immigration system work for Americans. But we're cleaning out towns of those MS-13 gangsters. That's why we're calling on Congress to fund the border wall, which we're getting very close to. We're working on that. We have a great wall. We've put up, as you know, six different varieties of wall. We want to be able to see through. We have a lot of help from the Border Patrol and from the ICE agents. We're getting their input on the wall, because they -- who knows better than them? But we want vision, we want to be able to see through who's on the other side of the wall. And we have some wonderful prototypes that have been put up. And I may be going there very shortly to look at them in their final form. And we'll be building the wall and we'll be doing lots of other things."

10. Wide shot of Trump speaking

President Donald Trump is celebrating the final passage of the Republican tax bill, calling it a "historic victory for the American people."

Speaking at his last Cabinet meeting of the year, Trump said he will host Congressional Republicans at the White House later Wednesday to celebrate the first major legislative victory of his administration.

The official signing ceremony will take place at a later date.

Trump said the bill provides "a tremendous amount of relief for the middle class," and claimed passage of the legislation fulfills his campaign promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

But in reality, the bill only repeals the individual mandate, which imposes a tax penalty for failing to purchase health insurance - a significant, but small part of the law - rather than the extensive legislation passed by his predecessor.

Trump-backed GOP efforts to undo the health care legislation failed repeatedly earlier this year, and congressional lawmakers are debating needed fixes to the bill to stabilize the individual marketplace.

During the Cabinet meeting, the president hailed what he called his administration's accomplishments, including eliminating a number of regulations, and growing the economy.

He also called on Congress to pass funding for his border wall with Mexico. He said the White House is looking into a number of prototypes for the wall, adding that he may be going "very shortly to look at them in their final form."

Washington, DC - 20 December 2017

1. Wide side shot of Cabinet meeting

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"This looks like it will probably be our last Cabinet meeting until the new year, but who knows? You never know what happens with Cabinet meetings. We have had some really great and productive ones, and this will be one of celebration, because of what took place last night. We had a historic victory for the American people. It'll go through final passage today in the House."

3. Side shot of Trump speaking at Cabinet meeting

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"The heart of our bill is a tremendous amount of relief for the middle class, including a doubling of the child tax credit, and a nearly doubling of the standard deduction. That's going to be tremendous for people. They're going to start seeing the results in February. This bill means more take-home pay. It will be an incredible Christmas gift for hard-working Americans. I said I wanted to have it done before Christmas. We got it done."

5. Wide side shot of Cabinet meeting

6. Cutaway of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner sitting behind Trump at meeting

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"And then you add two things, the individual mandate is being repealed. When the individual mandate is being repealed, that means Obamacare is being repealed, right? Because they get their money from the individual mandate. So the individual mandate is being repealed. So in this bill, not only do we have massive tax cuts and tax reform, we have essentially repealed Obamacare and we'll come up with something that will be much better, whether its block grants or whether its taking what we have and doing something terrific. But Obamacare has been repealed in this bill. We didn't want to bring it up, I told people specifically, be quiet with the fake news media because I don't want them talking too much about it because I didn't know how people would, but now that it's approved, I can say the individual mandate on health care - where you had to pay not to have insurance, OK, think of that one, you pay not to have insurance - the individual mandate has been repealed."

8. Wide pan from press to president speaking

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"We're making the immigration system work for Americans. But we're cleaning out towns of those MS-13 gangsters. That's why we're calling on Congress to fund the border wall, which we're getting very close to. We're working on that. We have a great wall. We've put up, as you know, six different varieties of wall. We want to be able to see through. We have a lot of help from the Border Patrol and from the ICE agents. We're getting their input on the wall, because they -- who knows better than them? But we want vision, we want to be able to see through who's on the other side of the wall. And we have some wonderful prototypes that have been put up. And I may be going there very shortly to look at them in their final form. And we'll be building the wall and we'll be doing lots of other things."

10. Wide shot of Trump speaking

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus060069

Republican Donald Trump received an enthusiastic response from veterans as he criticized Democrats and vowed to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Trump told veterans gathered at the annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Charlotte that: "Our politicians have totally failed you."

Trump offered a 10-step fix for the VA healthcare system, including asking Congress to pass legislation giving the VA secretary more authority to remove poor employees, plus increasing outreach and the number of mental health care professionals in the system.

Clinton on Monday spoke at the same gathering and offered a scathing critique of Trump's foreign policy, casting him as too reckless to serve as the country's commander in chief.

But when Trump mentioned Clinton's name on Tuesday, it was met with shouts of "Lock her up!"

Trump jokes, "I guess she didn't do very well" with the crowd.

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus060069

Republican Donald Trump received an enthusiastic response from veterans as he criticized Democrats and vowed to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Trump told veterans gathered at the annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Charlotte that: "Our politicians have totally failed you."

Trump offered a 10-step fix for the VA healthcare system, including asking Congress to pass legislation giving the VA secretary more authority to remove poor employees, plus increasing outreach and the number of mental health care professionals in the system.

Clinton on Monday spoke at the same gathering and offered a scathing critique of Trump's foreign policy, casting him as too reckless to serve as the country's commander in chief.

But when Trump mentioned Clinton's name on Tuesday, it was met with shouts of "Lock her up!"

Trump jokes, "I guess she didn't do very well" with the crowd.

POOL

Charlotte, North Carolina - 26 July 2016

+++WHITE FLASHES BETWEEN SOUNDBITES+++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"The veterans health system will remain a public system because it is a public trust, but never again will we allow any veteran to suffer or die waiting for care. That means veterans will have the right to go to a VA facility, or the right to see a private doctor, or clinic of their choice whatever is fastest and best for the veteran."

+++WHITE FLASH+++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"There will be no more five-day waits in line. If you are waiting in line, you're going to go to a private doctor across the street, a private or public hospital across the street or nearby and you are going to be taken care of quickly and efficiently. People are waiting in line five days, six days, seven days and many are dying."

+++WHITE FLASH+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"The other candidate in this race, you know her name, crooked Hillary Clinton, and believe me folks, she is crooked, has a much different view. She recently said of the VA scandal that it's not as widespread as it's been purported to be. It's like she's trying to sweep it under the rug, which by the way politicians have done for years and years and years. It's going to be four more years of the same."

+++WHITE FLASH+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"Just look at her invasion of Libya, and her handling of Benghazi, a disaster, or look at her emails, which put America's entire national security at risk.(Audience members "Lock her up, lock her up.")

"And to think she was here yesterday. I guess she didn't do very well."

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"We're going to bring honesty back to government, and that starts with fixing the Veterans Administration. We will fix it."

The White House says President Donald Trump is still focused on what it calls "Plan A," repealing and replacing Obamacare.

White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary says the president is fully engaged in the process, a day after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delayed a vote on a bill that would undo much of Obama's signature health care law.

On Syria, Sanders denied reports that the State Department and other federal agencies were out of the loop when the White House issued a statement saying Syria was planning a chemical weapons attack.

A nongovernmental source with close ties to the White House said the administration had received intelligence the Syrians were mixing precursor chemicals for a possible sarin gas attack in either the east or south of the country, where government troops and allied forces have faced recent setbacks.

Sanders gave a lengthy play-by-play detailing those involved in issuing the statement.

Sanders also deflected a question about a dust up with a reporter the day before.

Brian Karem, an editor at the Washington-area Sentinel newspapers, became an instant symbol in the tense relationship between the president and journalists when he interrupted Sanders on Tuesday.

Asked Wednesday about the confrontation, Sanders said, "I think that the White House had a great day yesterday."

Washington - 28 June 2017

++NOTE: THIS IS AUDIO-ONLY COVERED BY PHOTOS++

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK++

1. Various STILLS of Sarah Huckabee Sanders ++OVERLAID OVER AUDIO-ONLY SOUNDBITES++

2. SOUNDBITE (English): Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary:

"We're focused on plan A. That is repealing and replacing Obamacare. The president's fully engaged as along with his administration in working with House and Senate members to make sure that we repeal and repalce Obamacare and put in place a health care reform system that is sustainable and works in service all Americans and that's the focus right now and that's the only focus."

3. SOUNDBITE (English): Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary:

"Again, as I just said, the president's been very engaged in this process, as have multiple members of his administration and he's made a lot of calls directly to members. He had roughly, I think 46 members of the Senate here yesterday. They had a long and lengthy and very good and productive conversation. We're going to continue doing that. Just like he did with the House. He was engaged in making sure that happened and he's somebody we've said before I would never under estimate this president. And if he's committed to getting something done, he will."

4. SOUNDBtITE (English): Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary:"

"There were a lot of stories about the process not working or relevant agencies and people being out of the loop. Those are simply false. At a regularly schedule meeting, as I mentioned yesterday, the president was presented with information that indicated the Assad regime was preparing another chemical weapons attack. The president proposed issuing a statement to warn the regime of consequences. Senior administration officials including NSA McMaster, DNI Director Coats and DCI Pompeo were present when the statement was initially proposed. They and their teams remained in the loop throughout the drafting process. Secretaries Tillerson and Mattis remained in the loop and were consulted in person later that day. The military chain of command was also fully aware of the statement as it was being prepared and later released. Secretary Tillerson also spoke to his Russian counterpart and Lt. Gen. Townsend engaged his Russian counterpart in Syria. The White House staff secretary's office reviewed the statement and coordinated with White House leadership and over the next few hours the White House staff secretary used its typical coordination process to solicit comments from all relevant departments and agencies. By the time the statement was issued, every relevant department and agency had ample opportunity to provide feedback and input. As the president stated on April 6th, the use of chemical wea... weapons, threatens vital national interests and the statement was clear and reinforces this message. We have seen indications that the Syrian regime was preparing a major chemical attack and the president warned the regime of consequences should they proceed."

5. SOUNDBITE (English): Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary:

"I think that the White House had a great day yesterday, Kevin."

The White House says President Donald Trump is still focused on what it calls "Plan A," repealing and replacing Obamacare.

White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary says the president is fully engaged in the process, a day after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delayed a vote on a bill that would undo much of Obama's signature health care law.

On Syria, Sanders denied reports that the State Department and other federal agencies were out of the loop when the White House issued a statement saying Syria was planning a chemical weapons attack.

A nongovernmental source with close ties to the White House said the administration had received intelligence the Syrians were mixing precursor chemicals for a possible sarin gas attack in either the east or south of the country, where government troops and allied forces have faced recent setbacks.

Sanders gave a lengthy play-by-play detailing those involved in issuing the statement.

Sanders also deflected a question about a dust up with a reporter the day before.

Brian Karem, an editor at the Washington-area Sentinel newspapers, became an instant symbol in the tense relationship between the president and journalists when he interrupted Sanders on Tuesday.

Asked Wednesday about the confrontation, Sanders said, "I think that the White House had a great day yesterday."

Washington - 28 June 2017

++NOTE: THIS IS AUDIO-ONLY COVERED BY PHOTOS++

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK++

1. Various STILLS of Sarah Huckabee Sanders ++OVERLAID OVER AUDIO-ONLY SOUNDBITES++

2. SOUNDBITE (English): Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary:

"We're focused on plan A. That is repealing and replacing Obamacare. The president's fully engaged as along with his administration in working with House and Senate members to make sure that we repeal and repalce Obamacare and put in place a health care reform system that is sustainable and works in service all Americans and that's the focus right now and that's the only focus."

3. SOUNDBITE (English): Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary:

"Again, as I just said, the president's been very engaged in this process, as have multiple members of his administration and he's made a lot of calls directly to members. He had roughly, I think 46 members of the Senate here yesterday. They had a long and lengthy and very good and productive conversation. We're going to continue doing that. Just like he did with the House. He was engaged in making sure that happened and he's somebody we've said before I would never under estimate this president. And if he's committed to getting something done, he will."

4. SOUNDBtITE (English): Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary:"

"There were a lot of stories about the process not working or relevant agencies and people being out of the loop. Those are simply false. At a regularly schedule meeting, as I mentioned yesterday, the president was presented with information that indicated the Assad regime was preparing another chemical weapons attack. The president proposed issuing a statement to warn the regime of consequences. Senior administration officials including NSA McMaster, DNI Director Coats and DCI Pompeo were present when the statement was initially proposed. They and their teams remained in the loop throughout the drafting process. Secretaries Tillerson and Mattis remained in the loop and were consulted in person later that day. The military chain of command was also fully aware of the statement as it was being prepared and later released. Secretary Tillerson also spoke to his Russian counterpart and Lt. Gen. Townsend engaged his Russian counterpart in Syria. The White House staff secretary's office reviewed the statement and coordinated with White House leadership and over the next few hours the White House staff secretary used its typical coordination process to solicit comments from all relevant departments and agencies. By the time the statement was issued, every relevant department and agency had ample opportunity to provide feedback and input. As the president stated on April 6th, the use of chemical wea... weapons, threatens vital national interests and the statement was clear and reinforces this message. We have seen indications that the Syrian regime was preparing a major chemical attack and the president warned the regime of consequences should they proceed."

5. SOUNDBITE (English): Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary:

"I think that the White House had a great day yesterday, Kevin."

In the wake of tough talk from President Donald Trump toward North Korea and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, at least one legislator says he's willing to give the president the benefit of the doubt to see if anything works.

President Trump warned Kim Jong Un's government on Thursday to "get their act together" or face extraordinary trouble, and suggested his earlier threat to unleash "fire and fury" on North Korea was too mild. He has also lambasted McConnell for not being able to get a health care bill passed in the Senate.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, a Republican from Arizona and sometimes outspoken critic of Trump, said the president's rhetoric toward North Korea is unusual but worth a try.

"It would be tough to argue that what we've been doing has been effective," Flake said Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press. "Typically, you don't have the president making those kinds of statements but I think some of us are willing to give him a little space to see if this moves them."

As for the president's remarks seemingly attacking McConnell for not doing his job in getting health care legislation passed, Flake said he thinks that's just a little frustration coming from a person who is new to politics.

Prescott, Arizona – August 10, 2017

1. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican:

"Well, North Korea has been doing this forever. They always are bellicose in talking about what their capabilities are and what they're going to do so this is nothing new."

2. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican:

"Obviously, this is an area of concern whenever you have a burgeoning nuclear power, we don't know exactly how close they are but our intelligence services tell us that it could be months or certainly less than a couple of years before they have the capability to reach the United States and the question has been when do we intervene, how do we try to persuade them not to take that next step and nothing we've done has worked so far so the administration is trying a little different tactic, I think, hitting back hard in terms of rhetoric and we'll see if that has any effect."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican:

"It would be tough to argue that what we've been doing has been effective. Typically, you don't have the president making those kinds of statements but I think some of us are willing to give him a little space to see if this moves them. It's been a bit of a good cop, bad cop, you've had other administrative figures, the secretary of state, dial it down a bit and we will see what works. Obviously, we've got to remedy this somehow. We can't continue to allow North Korea to go on this path so we'll see where it goes."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican:

"Well, the sanctions are more long-term, we're talking months not years, but we'll see and obviously the play here is what China does. They say they don't have as much leverage as we think they have but they certainly have more than we do and so the real play is to see what China does."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican, speaking about Trump comments regarding McConnell:

"Obviously, everybody's frustrated by the inability to get somewhere on health care reform so I think that's what's playing out. I, myself, having been in the Senate and recognizing what a difficult job the majority leader has, I don't fault him. I think that he's got a tough job and he does it well."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican, speaking about Trump comments regarding McConnell:

"I think it's always better if we can work together on those kind of things but you know, it is what it is, and in the Senate you can't compel people to vote one way. We have a diverse caucus. You have to persuade and I think the majority leader has a history of bringing people together and he does a tough job well."

In the wake of tough talk from President Donald Trump toward North Korea and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, at least one legislator says he's willing to give the president the benefit of the doubt to see if anything works.

President Trump warned Kim Jong Un's government on Thursday to "get their act together" or face extraordinary trouble, and suggested his earlier threat to unleash "fire and fury" on North Korea was too mild. He has also lambasted McConnell for not being able to get a health care bill passed in the Senate.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, a Republican from Arizona and sometimes outspoken critic of Trump, said the president's rhetoric toward North Korea is unusual but worth a try.

"It would be tough to argue that what we've been doing has been effective," Flake said Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press. "Typically, you don't have the president making those kinds of statements but I think some of us are willing to give him a little space to see if this moves them."

As for the president's remarks seemingly attacking McConnell for not doing his job in getting health care legislation passed, Flake said he thinks that's just a little frustration coming from a person who is new to politics.

Prescott, Arizona – August 10, 2017

1. Various of Flake being interviewed

2. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican:

"Well, North Korea has been doing this forever. They always are bellicose in talking about what their capabilities are and what they're going to do so this is nothing new."

3. Flake books on table

4. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican:

"Obviously, this is an area of concern whenever you have a burgeoning nuclear power, we don't know exactly how close they are but our intelligence services tell us that it could be months or certainly less than a couple of years before they have the capability to reach the United States and the question has been when do we intervene, how do we try to persuade them not to take that next step and nothing we've done has worked so far so the administration is trying a little different tactic, I think, hitting back hard in terms of rhetoric and we'll see if that has any effect."

5. Various of Flake being interviewed

6. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican:

"It would be tough to argue that what we've been doing has been effective. Typically, you don't have the president making those kinds of statements but I think some of us are willing to give him a little space to see if this moves them. It's been a bit of a good cop, bad cop, you've had other administrative figures, the secretary of state, dial it down a bit and we will see what works. Obviously, we've got to remedy this somehow. We can't continue to allow North Korea to go on this path so we'll see where it goes."

7. Flake books on table

8. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican:

"Well, the sanctions are more long-term, we're talking months not years, but we'll see and obviously the play here is what China does. They say they don't have as much leverage as we think they have but they certainly have more than we do and so the real play is to see what China does."

9. Various of Flake being interviewed

10. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican, speaking about Trump comments regarding McConnell:

"Obviously, everybody's frustrated by the inability to get somewhere on health care reform so I think that's what's playing out. I, myself, having been in the Senate and recognizing what a difficult job the majority leader has, I don't fault him. I think that he's got a tough job and he does it well."

11. Various of Flake being interviewed

12. SOUNDBITE (English) US Sen. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican, speaking about Trump comments regarding McConnell:

"I think it's always better if we can work together on those kind of things but you know, it is what it is, and in the Senate you can't compel people to vote one way. We have a diverse caucus. You have to persuade and I think the majority leader has a history of bringing people together and he does a tough job well."

13. Flake books on table