House approves rule for considering two healthcare bills

The House on Tuesday afternoon approved a rule for two bills that would repeal parts of last year's healthcare law.

Members approved H.Res. 236 by a 237-185 vote — only four Democrats supported it. The rule allows for consideration of H.R. 1213 and H.R. 1214.

Earlier debate on the rule indicated that Democrats will largely reject the two bills as another Republican attempt to gut the healthcare law. Republicans argued in favor of the bills as a way to trim federal spending.

The House will spend the remainder of Tuesday afternoon debating the two bills, as well as five Democratic amendments to H.R. 1213.