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

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

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up