On a largely party line vote, the GOP controlled House passed a budget which will allow the party to repeal Obamacare using reconciliation, a process reserved for budget related items which cannot be filibustered in the Senate. The budget bill passed 227-198, with all Democrats and 9 Republicans voting against it. At least
House Speaker Paul Ryan took to the House floor and said, “My colleagues, this experiment has failed. This law is collapsing while we speak. We have to step in before things get worse. This is nothing short of a rescue mission. By taking this step today, we are doing what is right.”
Numerous Republicans who voted in favor of the budget put out statements in support of Obamacare repeal:
#BREAKING: The House voted today with my support to pass a resolution paving the way to repeal #Obamacare. https://t.co/fL3mm2zFms pic.twitter.com/jgmZcsWVKK
— Diane Black (@RepDianeBlack) January 13, 2017
ObamaCare has failed the American people; it is broken, and must be repealed-and replaced. You deserve better. https://t.co/xZqillXWEw
— Bill Johnson (@RepBillJohnson) January 13, 2017
Today’s vote is an important step in building a truly patient-centered healthcare system. More on my vote here: https://t.co/0wrpsOEQCi
— Carlos Curbelo (@carloslcurbelo) January 13, 2017
Today, I voted for a budget resolution that would allow Congress to repeal and replace #Obamacare. pic.twitter.com/0IZ7AM6l7y
— French Hill (@RepFrenchHill) January 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/RepKevinYoder/status/820019771194404864
Today’s vote is the beginning of the end of Obamacare –> https://t.co/jW39pD7PdA
— Richard Hudson (@RepRichHudson) January 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/RepLynnJenkins/status/820009789329707008
The Associated Press reports that Rep. Jodey Arrington of Texas said, “Our experimentation in Soviet-style central planning of our health care system has been an abject failure.” But Rep. John Katko of New York chose not to vote for the bill, saying in a statement on Facebook, “before it is repealed a viable plan must be ready to replace it.” According to CNN, Rep. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania agreed with that sentiment saying, “Before we take this plane in the air, I want to know we’re going to land it. Right now I’m not sure we can land it.”
At least one Republican who voted against the bill cited its impact on the debt rather than its potential impact on Obamcare:
Most massive budget in U.S. history passed 227-198. It adds more than $9 TRILLION to the debt over the next decade. https://t.co/P4nqi35X0q https://t.co/XnRC8s3FaQ
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) January 13, 2017
Meanwhile, Democrats were dismayed. From the Associated Press:
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Ryan was peddling “mythology” and said the GOP was moving toward worsening health care for consumers.
“They want to cut benefits and run. They want to cut access and run,” she said of Republicans.
“This is a sad day in the history of this country as Republicans begin the process of destroying health care in America,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., arguing that the GOP has no replacement in hand. “All you have is smoke and mirrors, and the American people are getting ready to get screwed.”
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