How Pa., NJ and Del. senators voted on health care repeal bill

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Friday, July 28, 2017
Reaction to health care vote
Reaction to health care vote: Jeannette Reyes reports during Action News at 6 a.m. on July 28, 2017.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WPVI) -- In a mostly partisan vote the Senate voted no on repealing the Affordable Care Act.

Here is how local senators voted by state:

PENNSYLVANIA

Sen. Pat Toomey (R) YES

Sen. Bob Casey (D) NO

NEW JERSEY

Sen. Robert Menendez (D) NO

Sen. Cory Booker (D) NO

DELAWARE

Sen. Tom Carper (D) NO

Sen. Chris Coons (D) NO

Overnight, Action News received a number of statements from our local senators.

Sen. Pat Toomey

"I am disappointed with this setback on efforts to fix our broken health care system. For the hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians suffering from the higher costs and fewer choices caused by Obamacare's collapse, Congress must not give up on repealing and replacing the failed health care law."

Sen. Bob Casey

"The Senate Republican scheme was a terrible bill for the middle class and that's why it was rejected on a bipartisan basis. It's now time for Democrats and Republicans to work together on common sense solutions that will make our health care system more affordable and bring down costs for families. I commend Senator McCain for his courageous vote."

Sen. Robert Menendez

"Tonight, millions of American families who rely on the affordable health coverage provided under the ACA can breathe a sigh of relief. And tonight, the hundreds of thousands of Americans who stood up, spoke out and demanded that politics be put aside should know that their power - the power of the people - proved stronger than the people in power. Tonight confirms the only way forward is to work together on behalf of all Americans. So, tomorrow, let's get to work."

Sen. Cory Booker

"Tonight is a victory for the millions of Americans who will not lose health coverage because Senate Republicans failed to pass their latest disgraceful attempt at a health repeal bill. This is also a victory for the thousands upon thousands of Americans across the country who rallied, marched, and called their Senator to demand the right to affordable, quality health care. Your voices were heard. Tonight's failed vote is a testament to your power - the power of the people, which we all know is greater than the people in power. In the United States, it shouldn't matter how much money you make or where you live - you should have access to quality, affordable health care, because health care is a human right. The fight isn't over. Republicans in both chambers have made it clear they'll stop at nothing to enact their dangerous agenda. If we don't stop them, they'll strip health coverage from millions of Americans, raise premiums, and gut protections for people with pre-existing conditions. We must remain vigilant and continue speaking up and out against those who would prefer to play politics with the nation's health care system rather than earnestly work to improve it."

Sen. Tom Carper

"In the words of Senator Schumer this evening, it's time to turn the page. Tonight, we have the opportunity to change course and return to regular order, just as Senator McCain called for us to do when he returned to the Senate earlier this week. In the days ahead, we must immediately focus on stabilizing the exchanges. But then, we should fix the parts of the Affordable Care Act that need to be fixed and preserve the parts that should be preserved. We don't need a Democratic victory, a Republican victory or a Trump victory. We need a victory for the American people. It's now up to us - every single one of us - to prove to our constituents that we can do it. It's what they expect from us and, more important, it's what they deserve. Let's get to work."

Sen. Chris Coons

Has not yet issued a formal statement, but did tweet after the vote.

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