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Health care vote: Pence breaks 50-50 tie

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) leaves a meeting where a new version of a GOP healthcare bill was unveiled to Republican senators at the U.S. Capitol July 13, 2017 in Washington, DC. 

>>3:10 p.m. EDT: The motion passed with Vice President Mike Pence casting a vote to break the tie.

The Senate held a vote Tuesday on a motion to proceed to debate the House version of the health care bill.

The vote, a procedural one, was the first step in a Republican effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

(See live updates below)

Here’s what you need to know about the bill and the Tuesday afternoon vote.

What were they voting on?

The vote was on a motion to proceed with debate on the House health care bill.

What happened with the passage of the motion?

Debate, along with an amendment process, begins. The amendment process would allow an amendment that agrees with budget reconciliation rules.

Was anyone on the fence about voting yes?

These Republican senators had expressed doubt on the bill.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito

Sen. Dean Heller

Sen. Ron Johnson

Sen. Mike Lee

Sen. Jerry Moran

Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Sen. Rand Paul

Sen. Rob Portman

How many votes did it take to pass?

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell could lose only two Republican senators and see the motion pass. Every Democrat voted no on the motion. Of the 52 Republican senators, two voted no but the bill passed with the help of Vice President Mike Pence. The vice president was the tie-breaker.

Live updates: