Two Republicans break with party as GOP defeats budget amendment to lower health care costs
Senate Republicans on Wednesday voted against an amendment backed by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (R-N.Y.) to establish a point of order against any future budget reconciliation bill that does not lower out-of-pocket health care costs for Americans.
Schumer filed a motion to waive the Budget Act on his amendment to get Republicans on record about lowering health care costs. The vote was part of a vote-a-rama, a series of back-to-back amendment votes expected to last hours.
The proposal failed by a vote of 48 to 50. But two vulnerable Republicans voted for the proposal: Sens. Susan Collins (R) of Maine and Dan Sullivan (R) of Alaska.
But even if approved, the amendment would not have the force of law because it would be related to the Senate budget resolution, which would lay the procedural groundwork for passing a reconciliation package later this year.
Republicans plan to pass a budget reconciliation bill next month that would fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol over the next three and a half years, costing between $70 billion and $80 billion.
Democrats have refused to fund ICE and Border Patrol through the regular appropriations process unless President Trump agrees to reform immigration enforcement by requiring federal officers to obtain warrants before entering a private home and banning officers from wearing masks.
Speaking on the floor, Schumer criticized Republicans for bypassing the regular appropriations process by advancing ICE and Border Patrol funding through the budget reconciliation process, thus avoiding Democratic filibuster.
He said Democrats will use the late-night vote on changes to the budget resolution to highlight their party’s focus on the high costs of living that millions of Americans cannot afford.
“Democrats are defending the American people,” Schumer said before the vote.
“Democrats are united and strong, laser-focused on cutting costs; this will be a showdown tonight for Senate Republicans who will continue to pay the price for their actions,” he said.
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