�Թϲ�����

The Senate voted narrowly on Tuesday to begin debate on a bill to repeal major provisions of the Affordable Care Act, but hours later, Republican leaders suffered a setback when their most comprehensive plan to replace President Barack Obama’s health law fell far short of the votes it needed. The Tuesday night tally needed to reach 60 votes to overcome a parliamentary objection. Instead, it fell 43-57. (Kaplan and Pear, 7/25)

Nine senators on the right and center rejected the first version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act brought to a vote after the chamber began debate on a path forward earlier that afternoon. Tuesday evening's vote was the first of many expected in the next several days as senators shape a final bill on how to reform the individual insurance market and change federal Medicaid funding. (Lee, 7/25)

The first casualty was an amended version of the “Better Care” plan from GOP leaders – along with additions from Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), who wanted to add back $100 billion in Medicaid funding, and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who pressed for his ‘Consumer Freedom Amendment,’ which would let insurance companies that sell regular Obamacare plans also offer lower-cost plans with less health coverage. (Dupree, 7/25)

Senate Democrats pledged to fight against all of the GOP’s repeal efforts. “We will do everything we can inside this building,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said at a news conference, adding that people outside Washington should organize too. “We are going to fight and fight and fight until this bill is dead.” (Litvan and Dennis, 7/25)

Senate Republicans fell short Tuesday of their effort to advance a health care proposal they’ve worked on for several weeks. The Senate voted 43-57 against the amendment to the health care bill, which would roll back part of the 2010 health care law and replace it. Nine Republicans joined Democrats and independents in opposing the amendment. The Republicans who voted against the amendment on a procedural motion were Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine; Bob Corker, R-Tenn.; Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Dean Heller, R-Nev.; Mike Lee, R-Utah; Jerry Moran, R-Kan.; Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; and Rand Paul, R-Ky. An earlier version of the measure would result in 22 million fewer Americans having insurance in 2026, according to the Congressional Budget Office. (McIntire, 7/25)

“We knew this wasn’t going to be easy, and there’s a lot of work ahead of us,” said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, a member of the Senate GOP leadership. (Armour, Peterson and Hackman, 7/25)

“The endgame is to be able to move something at the end of this process across the Senate floor that can get 50 votes and then to get into conference with the House,” said Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a top McConnell lieutenant. (Sullivan, Eilperin and Snell, 7/25)

Tuesday night's vote doesn't prevent GOP leadership from offering another repeal and replace amendment, or another version of BCRA. It could also help GOP leadership get rank-and-file senators on the record, as they try to figure out a path forward. (Carney, 7/25)