House votes to repeal health care law for the first time in the new Congress

The Republican-controlled House has voted along party lines to repeal the health care law that stands as President Barack Obama's signature domestic achievement, and not for the first time.

The vote Tuesday was 239-186. The legislation now goes to the Senate, where it is unlikely to pass. And even if it does, Obama has threatened a veto.

The House has voted more than 50 times in the past four years to uproot the law.

Today's vote was the first opportunity to go on record officially for newly elected Republicans who took their seats for the first time last month.

The bill also directs House committees to begin work on an alternative plan, in case the Supreme Court rules a key portion of the law is unconstitutional.