Healthcare

Republican Senators Vote to Proceed to Something

Written by SK Ashby

All but two Republican senators voted for today's motion to proceed to debate on repealing Obamacare, setting up a series of votes on something or other at some point this week.

Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME) voted against the motion before the tie was broken.

The vote was 51-50 on Tuesday, a victory for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and President Donald Trump. Last week, McConnell was forced to postpone the vote, lacking the support of conservatives and moderates.

Vice President Mike Pence cast the tie-breaking vote.

In a dramatic turn, Sen. John McCain returned from Arizona where he is battling brain cancer to cast a crucial vote on proceeding on health care.

While they have voted to proceed, neither we nor they know exactly what they're proceeding to. Seemingly every option, and no option, is on the table.

The most current information available says they will vote on several measures that are expected to fail before finally settling on something. Or nothing.

The final vote on whatever they're going to vote on could still fail, so if you haven't contacted your senators yet there's still time to do so.