Senate Republicans tried to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act but were defeated in a 47-51 vote on Wednesday, though they anticipated the move to fail.
Still, Republicans remain optimistic about PPACA's fate. In fact, in Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell's view, the vote offers a chance for Democrats who supported the 2010 bill "to listen to those who have desperately been trying to get your attention."
"We think this is just the beginning," McConnell says. "This issue is still ahead of us."
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Since PPACA was passed, two federal judges have ruled the law is either partly or entirely unconstitutional, specifically regarding the individual mandate, while two other judges ruled in favor of the law. Of course, these rulings have been met with opposing views among Democrats and Republicans.
"Many who argue the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional are the same people who condemn judicial activism," says Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. "They are pushing the Supreme Court to strike down this law because they could not defeat it in Congress."
However, Republicans believe the constitutionality of the legislation should be challenged. Sen. Churck Grassley, R-Iowa, says the courts should have decided on the health care reform's constitutionality prior to the bill's passing.
Not long before the vote, the Senate agreed to remove a clause in the legislation regarding a paperwork requirement for businesses. President Barack Obama also agreed, though he stands by his promise to veto a complete health care reform appeal.
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