Vice President Pence Breaks Senate Tie on Obamacare Replacement

Like Vice President Pence, Senator John McCain played a critical role in the Senate. Two Republicans –Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski– voted against the key motion, as did all Democrats, so each Republican votes in favor of the debate to repeal and replace Obamacare made a significant difference. Since debating is now possible, members of Congress will have to work together and discuss how to do away with Obamacare. Securing the necessary votes for any measures they engender will be critical.

After McCain cast his vote in favor of the Congressional debate, he made the following remarks:

“We’ve tried to do this by coming up with a proposal behind closed doors, in consultation with the administration—and then springing it on skeptical members, trying to convince them that it’s better than nothing. Asking us to swallow our doubts and force it past a unified opposition? I don’t think that is going to work in the end. And it probably shouldn’t.”

Republicans should be proud of themselves for coming together and taking such a critical and needed step to repeal and replace Obamacare on this day. Vice President Pence played a critical role in today’s progress and should be commended, as should Senator John McCain, who is currently battling brain cancer. In the coming days ahead, let us all continue to take the imperative strides needed to make progress in Congress, lower costs, provide affordable healthcare, and make America great again.