Senate May Vote on ACA Repeal Bill Over Majority Objections - January 25, 2011

While Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has said he does not intend to bring legislation repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to the Senate floor, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has announced he will use parliamentary maneuvers available to him to force a vote on repeal, as passed by the House last week. It is not clear how Sen. McConnell will force a vote, but the ability of the Senate minority to stall other legislation means that such a vote is probable. While Senate Republicans may be able to force a vote, passage of such a measure is extremely unlikely as it would require a 60-vote majority and Republicans account for only 47 votes in the Senate.