Ernst, Grassley vote to repeal Obamacare

Iowa GOP Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley voted Wednesday to repeal the Affordable Care Act as Republicans attempt to come up with a health care insurance solution that so far as eluded them.

They joined most of the other Senate Republicans in backing a repeal, which would not have put in place an immediate replacement. They also voted late Tuesday for a repeal measure.

Both failed, however, because several Republicans joined a unified front of Democrats in voting against them.

On a conference call with reporters before Wednesday's vote, Grassley said a repeal would be painless for now because it would be delayed for two years, giving Republicans time to come up with a replacement.

'Nobody's going to be hurt over that two-year time as we work on replacement,” he said.

Democrats rejected that idea. They said no insurer would take a chance on joining the marketplace with such uncertainty.

Republicans have struggled to come up with a plan to replace the Affordable Care Act that can garner enough votes. The House passed a bill, but that was panned in the Senate.

On the conference call, Grassley said the goal in the Senate is to get something through the body so there can be a House-Senate conference.

'I'd hate to say anything, but you're going to have a conference anyway, so getting to conference is a necessary step for me ...,” he said.

Bur Grassley said he still is 'pessimistic” a bill will clear Congress.