Hopes for repeal of  Obamacare by a Republican-controlled Senate dimmed a week before the crucial midterm elections with surprising words from the man who likely would lead that new Senate.

In an interview Tuesday with Fox’s Neil Cavuto, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said it’s unlikely a Republican-controlled Senate would repeal the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, in its entirety. McConnell, who leads Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes in the Senate race in Kentucky, is poised to become majority leader if the upper chamber changes hands.

Congressional Republicans worked to defund Obamacare last year, but were stymied by the Democrat-controlled Senate.

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Update: Following his Fox News appearance, McConnell’s office has pushed back and said the Kentucky senator remains committed to fully repealing Obamacare.