The Senate voted Wednesday night to repeal President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate on private businesses with over 100 employees by a vote of 52-48.

 

Two Democrats crossed party lines and voted with all Republicans present to repeal the mandate.

 

Both Democratic “yes” votes, cast by Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. and Jon Tester, D-Mont., were expected.

 

Republicans brought up the repeal for a vote using a procedural tool called the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to overturn rules created by federal agencies and only requires 51 votes to pass the Senate.

 

It’s unclear if the Senate-passed repeal will be brought up in the House. Speaker Nancy Pelosi is not required to bring it up for a floor vote, and at least 218 signatures would be needed to force consideration. Even then, if the House were to pass it, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Tuesday that Biden would veto it should it land on his desk.