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Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) said Wednesday that he would oppose the budget measure Republicans are counting on to begin the process of repealing the Affordable Care Act, leaving the effort in danger of derailing if any other GOP senators defect. ... Mr. Paul said Wednesday he would vote against the budget measure because it adds too much to the federal budget deficit for fiscal year 2017. (Peterson and Hughes, 1/4)

Sen. Rand Paul voted Wednesday against the first step in repealing the Affordable Care Act because the underlying budget proposal increases the federal debt over 10 years. Paul, a Kentucky Republican with a history of casting protest votes, was the only GOP senator opposed. After the 51-48 vote in the Senate, the budget resolution, which includes the mechanisms to start repealing the 2010 health care law in addition to general spending levels for the federal government over the next decade, will be debated for the next week. (Troyan, 1/4)

The House Freedom Caucus will meet with Sen. Rand Paul Thursday morning at the Kentucky Republican’s request to discuss his concerns about the fiscal 2017 budget resolution Republicans are using to set up an expedited process for repealing the 2010 health care law. “We are meeting with Senator Rand Paul tomorrow to discuss his ideas on replacing the Affordable care Act and the timing of repeal and replacement,” Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows, R-N.C., told Roll Call. “As a health care provider and as a senator he brings a unique perspective.” Paul was the lone Republican senator to vote against the motion to proceed to the budget resolution, arguing that the measure increases the national debt. (McPherson and Bowman, 1/4)