Congress Sends Obamacare Repeal to President's Desk
WASHINGTON -- Congress kicked off 2016 by passing a bill that repeals Obamacare and stops taxpayer funding for abortion providers like Planned Parenthood.
The nearly party-line vote in the House was 240-181. The bill will be sent directly to President Barack Obama's desk via the special reconciliation process.
That process allows a budget bill to pass with a simple majority, avoiding an opportunity for the opposition to filibuster. The reconciliation process can only be used once a year.
Democrats claimed that Congress was starting the new year debating old issues. They say Obama is sure to veto the bill.
"This latest attempt to defund Planned Parenthood and repeal the ACA is nothing short of an attack on women and low income Americans," Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said.
But House Republicans argued Obamacare has proven to be the "Unaffordable Care Act" and insisted the government must stop funding the nation's largest abortion provider.
"Obamacare is intrusive, it's expensive, it's full of broken promises," Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, said.
"The letters, emails, and calls from my constituents tell me clearly that the Affordable Care Act has proven to be anything but affordable," Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., argued.
Foxx continued that taxpayers also have legitimate concern their money is going toward abortion providers. He told the House floor "our freedom rests on the cornerstone right we all have to life."
In response to the vote, Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said the bill would redirect "Planned Parenthood's nearly $554 million in taxpayer funding per year to comprehensive health care centers that do not promote abortion on-demand."
"Their latest annual report is proof this public policy change is well-warranted," she said. "Despite a 5 percent increase in taxpayer funding, Planned Parenthood's cancer screenings, contraceptive services, and STD testing have dropped dramatically in the last year."
If Obama vetoes the bill, it will be his eigth time exercising veto power as president.
