Republicans are having trouble getting a proposed cap on non-economic “pain and suffering” damages in medical malpractice suits through the Senate.
The Republicans have lined up only 48 of the 60 votes they need to pass a motion for cloture for S. 22, the Medical Care Access Protection Act.
Cloture motions set a time limit on debate in the Senate. If Republican supporters of S. 22 try to pass the bill without passing a cloture motion, Democratic opponents could delay action on the bill or even kill it altogether by making extreme efforts to extend debate.
All of the 48 senators who voted for cloture for S. 22 were Republicans.
A cloture motion associated with S. 23, a bill that would establish a pain and suffering damages cap solely for suits involving obstetricians and gynecologists, attracted 49 votes for cloture.