Take that: Reporter’s notebook drops on Republican senator during healthcare vote
Trying to ‘get the skinny’ on the Republican repeal healthcare bill vote in the midnight hour, a reporter accidentally dropped her notebook on a senator’s head.
A video posted on Twitter shows Senator Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), sitting next to Senator Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska), jumping after the notebook falls on his head from the press gallery, during the late-night vote on the healthcare repeal bill.
On the Senate floor, @SenatorTimScott gets hit by a reporters notebook that feel from the gallery above: pic.twitter.com/qmpyX4ZEdA
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) July 28, 2017
Haley Byrd of the Independent Journal Review tweeted later that it was her notebook and apologized to Scott and Sasse.
“I accidentally dropped my notebook. It's been a long day. (I'm sorry @SenatorTimScott and @BenSasse. I wasn't attacking u, I promise),” she said.
I accidentally dropped my notebook. It's been a long day. (I'm sorry @SenatorTimScott and @BenSasse. I wasn't attacking u, I promise) https://t.co/WVNcDQhWle
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) July 28, 2017
Byrd ought to aim for Sasse next time, Scott replied jokingly.
At least aim for @BenSasse next time. https://t.co/7rB9SgM6KS
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) July 28, 2017
Spoofing the mishap, Senator Scott was later seen wearing a Congressional hard hat talking to Byrd.
I just apologized to @SenatorTimScott in person for dropping my notebook on him. He's more prepared and has a helmet now: pic.twitter.com/dzcub8jpTD
— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) July 28, 2017
Guess @byrdinator hit Sen. Scott with her falling notebook - he wants to know how her insurance is but he's ready for tax reform vote pic.twitter.com/BNjte3Py96
— Matt Laslo (@MattLaslo) July 28, 2017
After a debate and voting marathon lasting into the early hours of Friday, the Senate voted down the repeal bill 49-51, with three Republicans senators joining Democrats in voting ‘no’ – John McCain (R-Arizona), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R- Maine).
The moment John McCain helped tank the #SkinnyRepeal. pic.twitter.com/0K53faUikk#FridayFeeling
— Holly O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) July 28, 2017
The Republicans were far short of the 60 or more they needed to avoid a filibuster.
The vote was a major defeat for Republican leaders.
“This is clearly a disappointing moment,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky). “I regret that our efforts were not enough, this time.”
“It’s time to move on,” he added.
