Iowa senators vote to open Obamacare debate

Iowa's two senators voted Tuesday to move forward on an overhaul of the Affordable Care Act but neither gave much insight into what kind of legislation they would support.

GOP Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst supported a procedural motion that kept alive the Obamacare overhaul.

It's not clear yet what plan senators might eventually vote on. It's expected several amendments will be offered.

Ernst called Tuesday's vote a 'significant step forward” in repealing Obamacare. 'I will closely examine the amendments to see how they will affect Iowans' insurance availability and affordability in 2018,” she said in a statement.

As for Grassley, he has said Medicaid costs need to be brought under control. But he has urged that the broader issue be brought up for a vote.

'Now that we've opened the debate, all 100 senators have the chance to debate the issue and offer their amendments and ideas,” he said. 'Each senator can decide how to vote, based on the final bill and how it's amended.