“It’s hard to fathom that the administration would bury its head in the sand and fail to engage in any contingency planning,” said Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), who chairs the health subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Pitts plans to grill Burwell on the administration’s claim that it does not have a “back up plan” when she testifies before his panel on Thursday.

One Senate GOP aide who is also skeptical of the White House’s lack of planning said the administration is likely looking to influence the court ahead of the March 4 arguments.

“OK, so they say they’re not doing anything. So what? They can show up a week after a King ruling and show they had done something,” the aide said. “Does it influence next Wednesday? I’d like to think that the Supreme Court is not that shallow.”