cao petersonThe U.S. House of Representative has passed H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, by a vote of 220-215. In dramatic late-night action Saturday, the bill passed with two votes more than the minimum needed — and one of those votes was from a Republican: Rep. Joseph Cao of Louisiana.

“This was a bipartisan vote,” said Majority Leader Steny Hoyer with a grin after the House adjourned for the night.

Minnesota’s congressional delegation includes a united front of Republicans opposed — Rep. Erik Paulsen was ready with his rationale for voting no — as well as one Democrat, Collin Peterson, who fulfilled a promise to join them. Peterson was one of 39 Democrats to oppose the bill.