Senate Republicans voted Wednesday against an amendment proposed by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) that would have created a procedural point in any future budget reconciliation bill that would not reduce Americans’ out-of-pocket health care costs.
Schumer introduced a motion to waive the budget law on his amendment to allow Republicans to publicly lower health care costs. The vote is part of the so-called Rama vote, a series of back-to-back amendment votes expected to last several hours.
The proposal failed in a 48-50 vote. But two vulnerable Republicans voted in favor: Maine Sen. Susan Collins (R) and Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan (R).
However, the amendment would not have the force of law even if approved, as it would be tied to the Senate budget resolution that would set the procedural foundation for passing the reconciliation package later this year.
Republicans plan to pass a budget reconciliation bill next month to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol over the next three and a half years at a cost of between $70 billion and $80 billion.
Democrats refuse to fund ICE and the Border Patrol through the regular appropriations process unless President Trump agrees to reforms to immigration enforcement that would require federal officers to contact a law enforcement officer before entering a private home and prohibit officers from wearing masks.
In his remarks, Schumer criticized Republicans for moving ICE and Border Patrol funding through the budget reconciliation process, circumventing the regular appropriations process and avoiding Democratic obstruction.
He said Democrats would use the late-night vote on the budget resolution amendment to highlight the party’s concern about the high cost of living that millions of Americans are struggling to afford.
“Democrats are standing up for the American people,” Schumer said before the vote.
“Democrats are united and strong, laser-like focused on reducing costs, and that will be a recipe for reconciliation for Senate Republicans who will continue to pay the price for their actions tonight,” he said.
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