As expected, the Senate has rejected a Republican attempt to repeal the year-old healthcare law.

The ultimate fate of the controversial law is expected to be determined by the Supreme Court.

But congressional Republicans emboldened by gains in last fall's elections have made a priority of trying to wipe it off the books. All 47 members of the GOP rank and file voted for repeal. There were 51 votes to leave it in place, 50 Democrats and one independent.

The House voted last month for repeal, but the action was viewed as symbolic because of opposition from Senate Democrats and a veto threat from President Barack Obama.

Earlier, the Senate voted to repeal a small part of the law in an attempt to lessen paperwork requirements for businesses. Obama has already invited lawmakers to take that action.