The Senate’s Big Play to Repeal Obamacare is Dead. Watch Ron Wyden Deliver Its Epitaph

In a dramatic vote in the wee hours on Capitol Hill, U.S. Senate Republicans failed to pass their last-ditch effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

"It is a disappointment," said an emotional Senate President Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky). "A disappointment indeed."

The so-called "skinny repeal" would have sent an Obamacare repeal back to the U.S. House for a compromise bill. Most observers believed Senate Republicans had little enthusiasm for the substance of the Senate bill, but hoped to keep the repeal effort alive in Congress.

But the bill failed—thanks in part to dramatic "no" votes cast by Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). The final vote came shortly after 1:30 am Eastern Standard Time.

Among the few Democrats given to speak was Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), who raged against a bill that the Congressional Budget Office said would leave 16 million more people without insurance coverage and raise some premiums by as much as 20 percent.

Wyden's speech served as an unexpected epitaph for a dead bill.

"This skinny repeal package makes a mockery out of the president's promise to lower premiums," Wyden said. "He promised repeatedly to the American people: No reductions in coverage, no increase in premiums. This bill makes a mockery out of that presidential pledge."

Meanwhile, protesters standing outside Congress waited into the night for a vote. They erupted in cheers when McCain's vote was announced.

Perhaps they, at least, can appreciate people who get captured.

UPDATE, 1:15 am: U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) met with repeal protesters outside the Capitol early Friday morning. He paid tribute to the three Republicans who voted no—McCain, Murkowski and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine)—but said the real credit belonged to activists.

"Ultimately, today's victory is a testament to the incredible work of millions of Americans who rallied at the grassroots level to save health care for their families and their communities," Merkley said in a statement. "They took action fearlessly—from telling their most personal stories to lawmakers, to staging rallies and sit-ins across the country—and this victory is their victory."

Wyden released a video statement: