Democrats had the votes to beat them, as expected.

But now, the legal fight over the law threatens to overshadow the drama that Washington has been rehearsing.

Two federal judges have struck at a key provision of the legislation, ruling that Congress cannot force individuals to buy health insurance. These cases are almost certainly headed for the Supreme Court, which many predict

WASHINGTON – Senate Democrats on Wednesday defeated a bid by Republicans to repeal last year’s sweeping health care overhaul, as they successfully mounted a party-line defense of President Obama’s signature domestic policy achievement.

Challenges to the law, however, will continue both on Capitol Hill and in the courts, with the United States Supreme Court ultimately expected to

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D), on the other hand, pointed to the 700 people in his state with serious medical problems who already found insurance under the law. "Who goes to these people," the governor said in an interview, "and tells them, ‘Sorry, a judge in Florida has decided we now need to put you out in the cold?’ "

Wisconsin and Colorado are

Senate Republicans, emboldened by Monday’s federal court ruling against President Obama’s health care reform law, moved quickly Tuesday with an attempt to repeal the law by attaching an amendment to kill it to a Federal Aviation Administration measure….

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D), on the other hand, pointed to the 700 people in his state with serious medical problems who already found insurance under the law. "Who goes to these people," the governor said in an interview, "and tells them, ‘Sorry, a judge in Florida has decided we now need to put you out in the cold?’ "

Wisconsin and Colorado are

The vote was 47-51.

Moments earlier, the Senate had agreed to make one relatively minor change in the law, voting to strip out a paperwork requirement for businesses.

President Barack Obama, who has vowed to veto any total repeal of his signature legislative accomplishment, has said he would accept the change. It does not directly affect health care.

Republicans conceded in

Senate Republicans, emboldened by Monday’s federal court ruling against President Obama’s health care reform law, moved quickly Tuesday with an attempt to repeal the law by attaching an amendment to kill it to a Federal Aviation Administration measure….

to schedule the largely symbolic roll call.

The repeal, which GOP lawmakers are trying to attach to an aviation bill, is expected to fall short of the necessary 60-vote supermajority. Democrats hold a 53-47 edge in the Senate, including independents who caucus with them.

But the repeal vote will give Republicans the recorded tally they have been seeking since the GOP-controlled

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Obama ridiculed lingering opposition to his 10-month-old health care law Friday and vowed to oppose efforts to repeal it, underscoring his commitment to his signature legislative achievement despite the new reality of a divided Congress.

Days after delivering a State of the Union message in which he called

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama ridiculed lingering opposition to his 10-month-old health care law Friday and vowed to oppose efforts to repeal it, underscoring his commitment to his signature legislative achievement despite the new reality of a divided Congress.

Days after delivering a State of the Union message in which he called on Democrats and Republicans to work together,