The Senate GOP’s Affordable Care Act replacement plan did a face plant on Tuesday night, with nine Republicans and all Democrats voting against it. But it was only the first vote of what’s sure to be a long process, and its failure wasn’t a surprise.

Why this matters: This was the Senate’s best attempt at an ACA replacement, after about two and a half months of closed-door meetings attempting to find something that could bridge the caucus’ deep divides. Its failure suggests Senate Republicans won’t be able to come together on a replacement plan without Democrats in the future, no matter what happens next.

What’s next: A vote on a bill that repeals the Affordable Care Act’s subsidies, taxes and Medicaid expansion but leaves in place its regulations. It’s expected to be tomorrow at noon.