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Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey GrahamAir Force chief says delayed Trump nominations make her job 'difficult' Rand Paul spokesman: Lindsey Graham doesn't speak for us McConnell: Senate will move ObamaCare repeal bill in 'near future' MORE (R-S.C.) said Tuesday that the GOP has already suffered a key defection on its healthcare reform bill and it may make sense to move past the issue sooner instead of later.

Were stuck. We cant get there from here, Graham told reporters. Im very leery of a healthcare bill passing the Senate that can get through the House. Weve already lost Rand PaulRand PaulRand Paul spokesman: Lindsey Graham doesn't speak for us Graham: Rand Paul is 'irretrievably gone' on healthcare Graham: GOP ObamaCare repeal likely to fail MORE, so were down to 51.

Graham said Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is irretrievably gone, meaning GOP leaders can only afford one more defection and still pass legislation repealing and replacing ObamaCare.

While we do have a press assistant opening in the Communications Department, Senator Graham has not applied and should not make public statements on behalf of Senator Rand Paul, Paul spokesman Sergio Gor said in a statement, however. Senator Paul remains optimistic the bill can be improved in the days ahead and is keeping an open mind.

Republicans control 52 seats in the Senate, and Vice President Mike PenceMike (Michael) Richard PenceGraham: Rand Paul is 'irretrievably gone' on healthcare Karen Pence, Agriculture secretary install beehive at VP's residence Pence on NATO: 'Our commitment is unwavering' MORE can break a 50-50 tie, but three GOP no votes would spell the end of the legislation.

Graham is the latest Republican senator to publicly express doubt over the Senates ability to pass a healthcare reform bill that has any chance of later passing the House and becoming law.

Theres growing concern within the GOP conference that they will end up spending too much time on a healthcare debate that goes nowhere and will then have less chance of overhauling the tax code, another top priority.

Graham said if the Congressional Budget Office score for the Senate healthcare bill is as negative as its analysis for the House-passed measure, were in trouble.

We need to bring this to an end and move to taxes, he said. A lot of the blame is on the Congress here.

Sen. Richard BurrRichard BurrComey's Thursday hearing will be only public testimony Flynn hands over more than 600 pages of documents to Senate Intel: report Graham: Rand Paul is 'irretrievably gone' on healthcare MORE (R-N.C.), one of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellMitch McConnellRand Paul spokesman: Lindsey Graham doesn't speak for us McCain to question Comey at intel hearing: report McConnell: Senate will move ObamaCare repeal bill in 'near future' MOREs (R-Ky.) closest allies in the Senate GOP conference, last week said he did not think the Senate would be able to pass a comprehensive healthcare reform bill this year.

I think its unlikely we will get a healthcare bill, Burr told a local television station, calling the House bill dead on arrival and not a good plan.

McConnell told Reuters last month that he does not yet know how he will find 50 votes to pass a healthcare overhaul, a comment that was interpreted among Senate Republicans as lowering expectations for a legislative victory.

Graham said on Tuesday Republicans should let ObamaCare collapse and then work with Democrats to find a better solution.

He added that the GOP should move quickly to taxes.

On taxes, that needs to be the next agenda item. We need to do it in calendar year 2017, he said.

--Jordain Carney contributed to this report, which was updated at 3:22 p.m.

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Graham: Rand Paul is 'irretrievably gone' on healthcare - The Hill