GOP loses Senate health-care vote

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

A Republican drive to repeal the year-old health- care law ended in party-line defeat in the Senate on Wednesday, leaving the Supreme Court to render a final, unpredictable verdict on an issue steeped in political and constitutional controversy.

The vote was 47-51.

Moments earlier, the Senate had agreed to make one relatively minor change in the law, voting to strip out a paperwork requirement for businesses.

President Barack Obama, who has vowed to veto any total repeal of his signature legislative accomplishment, has said he would accept the change.

Republicans conceded in advance their attempt at total repeal would fall short. But they also said they had accomplished an objective of forcing rank- and-file Democrats to take a position on an issue that reverberated in the 2010 campaign and may play a role in 2012.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said the vote marked an opportunity for Democrats who voted for the bill last year “to listen to those who have desperately been trying to get your attention.“

“To say, yes, maybe my vote for this bill was a mistake, and that we can do better,” McConnell said.

Democrats worked to minimize any political repercussions, a concern for a party already acutely aware it must defend 23 seats — and its shrunken Senate majority — in the 2012 elections.

Across the street from the Capitol, Democrats convened a Judiciary Committee hearing to solicit testimony on the constitutionality of the law they passed and Obama signed months ago.

Two federal judges have ruled the law is unconstitutional, partially or in its entirety, citing a requirement for individuals to purchase coverage and pay a penalty if they fail to do so. Two other judges have upheld the law.