Twenty-one Democrats joined all but one Republican in a vote to repeal the sweeping health care law’s individual mandate Tuesday evening. The motion failed 187-230. The lone Republican was Rep. Joseph Cao (R-La.), who represents the heavily Democratic New Orleans and was the only Republican to vote for the House health bill in November.
The repeal provision, which the GOP has pushed as a campaign issue for November, was attached to H.R. 5486, which contained tax provisions for small businesses.
Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) was absent for the vote, signaling Republicans had no illusions it would pass. Cantor’s office didn’t immediately return my request for comment, but NRCC spokesman Ken Spain tells me he believes the Whip was at his daughter’s high school graduation.
While the GOP decries the mandate as unconstitutional, Democrats argue it’s necessary to contain costs as it’ll bring young and healthy people into the system.