Paul Ryan demands to know if Republicans will be 'men and women of our word' ahead of health-care vote

Paul Ryan.
(Image credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

In a rousing address to the House before the uncertain vote on the Republican health-care bill, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) demanded to know if members of his party would be "men and women of our word."

"A lot of us have been waiting seven years to cast this vote," Ryan said. "Many of us are here because we pledged to cast this very vote to repeal and replace ObamaCare. To rescue people from this collapsing law."

Last-minute counts put the health-care law as passing at exactly 217 votes, meaning there is no margin of error at all. Ryan, at least, seemed optimistic: "We will not falter," he said. "We will replace. Today is going to be the day we do this.'" Jeva Lange

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.