Senate Moves Forward On Obamacare Repeal

Maureen Collins | July 25, 2017
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Today around 3:00 pm, ET, the U.S. Senate voted to proceed on the "skinny" repeal bill. 

The “Obamacare Repeal Reconciliation Act of 2017,” which uses the same process of reconciliation that the 2010 Congress used to pass original "Affordable Care Act" (Obamacare) bill, was passed with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Mike Pence. 

Republicans needed a majority (over 50 votes) to pass the motion to proceed on the bill. Tensions ran high towards the end when the Republican votes totaled at 48. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) spoke heatedly with Majority Leader John McCain (R-Ariz.) on the Senate floor until, finally, he voted "aye" on the motion. 

Then, in a great moment, McCain--who has recently been diagnosed with brain cancer and undergone surgery--reached the floor to cast the 50th vote in favor of the bill. 

Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) both voted against the motion to vote on the bill. 

In a fiery speech, McCain advocated opening up debate on the controversial repeal bill, saying "I will not vote on this bill as it is." 

With this key vote passing today, now the debate process on the repeal bill can begin. 

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