The Senate has voted to remove a provision defunding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act from a spending resolution, despite Republicans fighting to retain the language cutting off further spending on the healthcare reform law's implementation.
Earlier this week, the Senate voted unanimously to move forward with its consideration of a spending resolution that would defund the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, despite Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) calling for a filibuster. This allowed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to put forth the amendment to remove the language that would cut off funding for the PPACA.
Sen. Cruz took to the Senate floor earlier this week and gave a speech that lasted more than 21 hours opposing the PPACA in an attempt to delay consideration of the spending bill. Sen. Cruz and some conservative groups had called for Republican senators to filibuster the bill to stop Democrats from setting up a vote to amend the legislation to strip it of the provision eliminating funding for the healthcare reform law. However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) wouldn't block the bill because he supported defunding the PPACA while also funding the government without increasing spending.
Federal lawmakers must pass a bill to fund the government before Tuesday to prevent a shutdown.
More Articles on PPACA Opposition:
Fitch: Political Bickering Over PPACA Only Hurts Healthcare Industry
Senate Votes to Advance Spending Bill With Provision to Defund PPACA
Conservatives Resist Push to Speed Up PPACA Debate