The Senate on July 26, 2017, rejected an amendment offered by Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Rand Paul (R-KY) that would repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in a delayed fashion and give lawmakers two years to come up with a replacement. The amendment was similar to the 2015-passed budget reconciliation bill that was vetoed by President Obama.

The Enzi-Paul amendment also included language to impose a one-year ban on federal funding for Planned Parenthood and banned the use of subsidies to buy plans that cover abortion. Republican Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Dean Heller (R-NV), Rob Portman (R-OH), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and John McCain (R-AZ) joined with Senate Democrats to defeat the amendment 45-55.

The amendment vote, which was widely expected to fail, was originally scheduled for late Wednesday morning but was delayed as staff worked with the Senate Parliamentarian to determine if key provisions could be massaged to avoid a Byrd rule violation.

Following defeat of the Enzi-Paul amendment, Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN) made a motion to commit the bill (H.R. 1628) back to committee, which failed on a party line vote of 48-52. The motion would have required the committee to eliminate any provisions to reduce or eliminate benefits or coverage for current Medicaid beneficiaries, including those that would prevent or discourage a state from expanding its Medicaid program or shift costs to states to cover this care.

Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) proposed a motion to commit the bill back to committee, to protect people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid. The Casey amendment failed on a party line vote of 48-51.

Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) offered a "Sense of the Senate" amendment regarding the importance of Medicaid. The amendment recommended that the Senate prioritize Medicaid for those with the greatest need and not reduce services for those currently covered. It also recommended that future bills not shift costs to states, and urged the repeal of the ACA. The amendment failed 10-90.

Late on July 26, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) came to the floor to announce the Democrats would not offer any further amendments until Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) shares the plan around which Republicans intend to ultimately rally, citing reports of a "skinny repeal" bill being floated by Republican leadership.

The "skinny bill" referenced by Leader Schumer refers to a narrower package of items being negotiated by Senate Republican leadership in an attempt to garner the support of 50 Republican Senators. If the skinny bill can pass, it would enable the leaders to advance their bill and establish a conference committee between the two chambers with the hope of negotiating a package that would be able to pass both bodies and be signed into law. House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-NC) expressed opposition to such a bill.

The Senate has adjourned until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. At that time, there will be approximately eight hours of debate time remaining. At 2:15 p.m. tomorrow the Senate will vote on an amendment offered by Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) regarding the adoption of a single-payer health care plan. The expectation is that all time will expire tomorrow evening at which time a vote-a-rama will ensue.

See the list of amendments being considered on the bill.

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