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US Senate approves first step to repeal the Affordable Care Act
The members of the U.S. Senate took the first step Thursday morning to repeal the Affordable Care Act by approving a budget blueprint by a vote of 51-48.
The vote does not repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but puts into motion steps that will allow for the repeal of the national healthcare program, according to reports from NBC News.
The vote came as part of the U.S. Senate’s vote-a-rama, and now sets the stage for the Republicans to take the first measure in repealing the ACA, according to NBC News.
“Tonight, Senators from both sides will have an important opportunity to take a vote on the legislative tools necessary to repeal Obamacare … Then we can send it to the House and begin taking the next steps to finally move away from Obamacare while we move ahead with smarter health care policies,” U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said during the voting session, according to a release from his website.
The House of Representatives — which may act as early as this Friday — will vote next on the bill.
The Republicans set a deadline of Jan. 27 for an actual vote on the repeal of the ACA.