WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic-controlled Senate has rejected a Republican effort to attach the repeal of President Barack Obama’s health care law to a government spending bill.

The 45-52 vote defeated the effort, which was led by conservatives. They say that when the law is fully in effect, it will jeopardize the nation’s fragile economic recovery. But Obama’s allies say national health care could help strengthen the economy in part by encouraging health maintenance and prevention. The law has been upheld by the Supreme Court.