Over seven years ago, Democrats in Congress joined President Obama to create a massive expansion of Washington’s role in our health care system. And in the time since then, we’ve witnessed the many ways in which Obamacare has hurt the American health system.

Republicans in the United States Senate had the opportunity this week to repeal large parts of that law and to set health policy in America on a different course. The GOP legislation wasn’t perfect, but was certainly an improvement on the status quo. It was also the best chance Republicans have ever had to substantially repeal and replace Obamacare.

Unfortunately, several Republican Senators voiced their opposition to even considering the bill, closing the door on the debate. A number did so because they didn’t think it went far enough. Others did so because they thought it went too far.

Whatever their reasoning, these Senators have effectively enshrined Obamacare as the law of the land. And they have turned their backs on a promise that they, and other Republicans, have been making for years.

For these failures, they have only themselves to blame.

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