their house seats in these special elections. they're 4 or 4 this year, despite president trump's unpopularity and despite outcry over the republican plans to try to repeal obamacare. this administration thus far has passed and i don't mean it in a mean way but they have passed zero meaningful legislation. they've passed no significant legislation at all. what they're going for their first big effort is a health care bill that is enormously unpopular right now and one that they may nevertheless pass through the senate within the next few days. what will happen then? joining us now nbc political historian. michael beschloss. big legislation is something that we think of as having political cost. big legislation particularly on the things that galvanize big opposition. is there any way from a historical perspective to weigh the political winners and