The Senate is turning toward a fight over repealing large parts of the Affordable Care Act, as Republicans move to fulfill a years-long campaign pledge.

"Today, we take the first steps to repair the nation’s broken health care system, removing Washington from the equation and putting control back where it belongs: with patients, their families, and their doctors," he said in a statement.

Lawmakers want to use "reconciliation" to repeal large swaths of the law this year. The procedural maneuver will allow the repeal effort to clear the upper chamber with 50 votes, bypassing a string of 60-vote procedural hurdles.

Tuesday's resolution also gives lawmakers until Jan. 27 to hand over their repeal resolutions. The Senate Budget Committee will be responsible for merging the repeal proposals.

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With Republicans holding a 52-seat majority, GOP leaders can only afford to lose two senators before they need to try to flip Democrats or ask the vice president to weigh in on a tie.