This was a vote on an amendment by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) that would have required the Government Accountability Office (GAO—which carries out studies, audits, and investigations for Congress) to conduct a study on which school districts were most in need of new or renovated school-based health care centers. This amendment was offered to legislation repealing a provision of the 2010 health care reform law—which was signed into law by President Obama and established near universal health coverage in the U.S.—that provided federal funds for such school-based health care centers.

Pallone urged support for his amendment: “ This amendment provides for a GAO study to determine school districts most in need of constructing or renovating school-based health centers. Basically, it asks the…[GAO] to conduct a study to determine the school districts most in need of construction and renovation, and not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment, the Controller [of the GAO] has to submit to the Congress a report setting forth the results and conclusions of the study under this subsection….I would like to have this amendment passed and hopefully accepted by the other side so that we can find out exactly how many more of these clinics, or centers, are in need of funding.”

No Republicans spoke in opposition to this amendment during floor debate. The vast majority of Republican members, however, voted against it. Requests for comment by Republican offices were not returned as of press time.

The House rejected this amendment by a vote of 205-210. Voting “yea” were 177 Democrats and 28 Republicans. 202 Republicans and 8 Democrats voted “nay.” As a result, the House rejected an amendment that would have required the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on which school districts were most in need of new or renovated school-based health care centers.