Language crafted by Congressman Steve King (R-IA) for the repeal of Obamacare will be debated today. A vote is expected tomorrow on H.R. 2, the Repealing the Job Killing Health Care Law Act. This bill is sponsored by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) and co-sponsored by 179 other Representatives. The text of the bill reads:
To repeal the job-killing health care law and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act’.
SEC. 2. REPEAL OF THE JOB-KILLING HEALTH CARE LAW AND HEALTH CARE-RELATED PROVISIONS IN THE HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION RECONCILIATION ACT OF 2010.
(a) Job-Killing Health Care Law- Effective as of the enactment of Public Law 111-148, such Act is repealed, and the provisions of law amended or repealed by such Act are restored or revived as if such Act had not been enacted.
(b) Health Care-Related Provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010- Effective as of the enactment of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), title I and subtitle B of title II of such Act are repealed, and the provisions of law amended or repealed by such title or subtitle, respectively, are restored or revived as if such title and subtitle had not been enacted.
Refreshingly short compared to the health care reform law…. I wonder if the Democrat Caucus in the House will actually read this bill. A total of 37 hours will be allowed for debate. Opposition to the repeal is in full force. Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC) would go nowhere, but is willing to talk modifying parts. This is the same Congressman who back in November said the healthcare reform law was his party’s undoing.
How could those who oppose the repeal expect House Republicans not to vote to repeal. This is what they, by and large, campaigned on. This is one of the primary reasons, along with spending, why Republicans were swept into power?
Will it be likely that the repeal won’t go anywhere after passing the House (I would be shocked if it doesn’t pass)? Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said it is DOA when it reaches the Senate. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) disagrees. It will be vetoed by President Barack Obama regardless. This is a long-term strategy, and remember most of the provisions in the bill don’t take effect until 2014. This repeal vote is just the first step.
Then after this is uprooted we can start over – nobody is denying that reform is unnecessary. Let’s just look at ideas (which Democrats ignored when they had the majority – now they’re talking bipartisanship!) that make sense and respect free market principles and avoid the expansion of government.