The GOP is Split Over Bid To Repeal Obamacare

Reconciliation measure on Affordable Care Act would most likely be vetoed by President Obama

Republicans in control of Congress have a special tool they can use to push legislation to President Barack Obama’s desk with a simple Senate majority. But they are divided on whether to use it on a repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Sen. John Thune (center) said repealing the health law was 
the ‘leading contender’ for how Republicans plan to use 
reconciliation. Photo: James Lawler Duggan/Reuters

Such legislation would almost certainly be vetoed by Mr. Obama, so some Republicans believe using the legislative maneuver, known as reconciliation, would waste a good opportunity to achieve other budget goals.

“I don’t fall into the camp that thinks it’s particularly helpful to send something up to be vetoed,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R., Okla.), a member of the House Budget Committee. “You score a few political points, but against a president who’s never on the ballot again. Big deal.”

Rep. Tom Cole (R., Okla.)

Other Republicans said it would violate their campaign pledges to not at least send a repeal of the health law to Mr. Obama’s desk. House Republicans have voted repeatedly to repeal the law, but the Senate hasn’t voted on a stand-alone measure just repealing the ACA.

Rep. Gary Palmer (R., Ala.)

“Our plan is to use it to repeal Obamacare and I hope we stick to the plan,” said Rep. Gary Palmer (R., Ala.), also on the budget panel. The Senate budget, approved last month, did include a repeal of the health law.

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