After agreeing to start debate on healthcare yesterday by a vote of 51-50, a vote on which Vice President Mike Pence cast the tie-breaking vote, the Senate turned back the first option it considered by a vote of 43-57, with nine Republicans joining all 48 Democrats to oppose the measure.
According to the rules governing this issue, the Senate has 20 hours to debate the healthcare legislation. During the remainder of the issue, the Senate is expected to consider a number of other options, including a repeal-with-a-two-year-delay as well as a more limited package that would eliminate the individual and employer mandates and the medical device tax.