LEFT: Senator John McCain leaves after a procedural vote on health care on Capitol Hill, July 25, 2017, in Washington, District of Columbia. AFP/Brendan Smialowski; RIGHT: The early morning light begins to appear behind the US Capitol on July 25, 2017, in Washington, DC. AFP/Mark Wilson

 

WASHINGTON: The US Senate voted Tuesday to proceed with a debate on Republican plans to repeal Barack Obama's health care reforms, thanks to a tie-breaking vote on the divisive issue from Vice President Mike Pence.

The vote was a victory for President Donald Trump, who had warned his party's senators that they would face strong repercussions if they failed to advance the measure, which has been stuck in Congress for months.

Senator John McCain, who announced last week he is suffering from brain cancer, cast a vote for the measure, leaving the total at 50-50. Pence broke the tie, as the US Constitution calls on him to do in the case of a tie.

McCain received a standing ovation from his colleagues as he entered the chamber.