Senate Finds the Votes to Begin Debate of Obamacare Repeal

After a great deal of political wrangling, and likely some serious arm twisting by the President and VP, the Senate has passed the procedural” vote that moves them into the debate on the repeal and replacement of Obamacare. 

The Senate will have several options to debate, including a “skinny bill.”  The idea of the skinny bill is that if the Senators cannot agree on a more comprehensive bill, they could pass one that included only the provision that can be agreed on. Other provisions would then be negotiated in conference with the House.

Senator John McCain arrived at the Senate to vote, despite his recent diagnosis of brain cancer. He received a thunderous standing ovation upon entering the Senate chambers.

Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, who was said to be against moving to debate, apparently had a change of heart. She along with Senators Dean Heller (R-Nev) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) announced minutes before the vote they would support their party to move forward.  This put voting at 50-50, Vice President Pence, as leader of the Senate, broke the tie, passing the measure.

Moderate Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted against the motion. 

Many Republican Senators still oppose the bill as it stands. Senator McCain said as much, calling it a “shell” that will get modified as debate continues.

Author’s note: It should be a difficult but interesting week. The media has been derisive that the Republicans have not gotten this bill passed yet. But in all cases when a President’s party controls both sides of Congress, certain of the members will grandstand, negotiate, hold out or refuse. But no one wants to hurt the party that badly.