From The New York Times, I'm Michael Barbaro. This is the deal.

Today, after the dramatic return of John McCain, the Senate narrowly votes to begin work on the repeal of the Affordable Care Act,

then promptly votes down a plan to do exactly that.

And the president steps up the attacks on his attorney general,

asked whether he intends to fire Jeff Sessions. He says, time will tell.

It's Wednesday, July 26.

Please join me in reciting a pledge of allegiance to our flag.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

It's Tuesday afternoon in the United States Senate.

The nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Ever since the election, Senate Republicans have been fighting to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

But after six months, they're only here.

Look, we can't let this moment slip by.

Voting not to repeal or replace Obamacare, but merely to allow for debate to begin about its future.

Now, Mr. President, on the vote that we'll have today,

and just a couple of hours, senators will have an important decision to make.

The fate of healthcare for tens of millions of Americans,

rests on an arcane legislative process, overseen by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

To rewrite the landmark healthcare law, McConnell must win 51 votes.

Seven years after Obamacare was imposed on our country,

we will vote on the critical first step to finally move beyond its failures.

The math is very much in doubt.

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