Senate Democrats don't fall for fake single payer amendment

Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana

Zero Senators voted "yes" on Thursday for a farce single payer amendment put forward by Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, who said just before the vote that he wanted to bring to light those senators who supported socialized medicine and those who didn't.

"It's time to fish or cut bait," Daines said.

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who has long supported a single payer, or Medicare for all system, said he would only vote for the amendment if Daines did.

[Also: Single payer healthcare proposal introduced in California Senate]

The vote tally was 57 against, zero in favor, and 43 senators voting only as "present."

Before the vote Daines tweeted, "My colleagues, I will vote NO on this. What say you?"

Senators were expected to continue voting well into the night on other amendments to the American Health Care Act that was approved in June by the House.

[Also: Senate expected to vote on single-payer plan, skinny repeal that would end individual, employer mandates]

One is a proposal for a "skinny" repeal that would end the individual and employer mandates.

Twitter: @SusanJMorse