Tuesday, the U.S. Senate narrowly approved a motion to proceed with GOP health care legislation. Idaho’s two senators voted in favor of the motion. Sen. Mike Crapo and Sen. Jim Rischboth voted in favor of the motion, which required a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Mike Pence to proceed.
The vote fell along party lines, but two Republican senators dissented.
In a statement, Crapo said, “Over the coming days, the Senate will consider a number of ideas and amendments. I will be active in that debate and in doing so, will keep in mind the views and opinions expressed to me by Idahoans.”
The senior senator from Idaho has been the target ofliberal activistscritical of the call to repeal and replace Obamacare.
In his shorter statement, Senator Risch described his first vote against Obamacare, calling it unsustainable and unaffordable.
In 2013, Idaho created its own exchange under the current health care system, and unlike other states has not lost any health insurance companies in the market.
Find reporter Frankie Barnhill on Twitter @FABarnhill
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