Idaho reps back GOP health care bill

The U.S. House has voted 217-213 in favor of the Republican health care bill, with no Democrats supporting the bill and 20 Republicans joining the minority to oppose it. Idaho Reps. Mike Simpson and Raul Labrador, both Republicans, both voted in favor. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it’s expected to see changes.

There’s a primer on what the House-passed bill would do online here at spokesman.com.

Throughout today’s passionate House debate, Simpson was in the chair presiding. His press secretary, Nikki Wallace, said, “The speaker asked him to preside for the debate and vote. He is very experienced and skilled at managing the floor.” Simpson is a eighth-term congressman and the former speaker of the Idaho House/ Betsy Russell , Eye on Boise. More here.