Congressional Republicans Hopeful About Replacing Obamacare — Especially If Supreme Court Assists
One GOP lawmaker said that if the high court decides that health insurance subsidies should not be available through the federal marketplaces, then the health law would unravel quickly. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, predicted doom for Republicans if they don't deliver on promises like scrapping this sweeping statute.
Reuters:
U.S. House Republican Optimistic About Obamacare Replacement Plan
Congressional Republicans believe they can replace Obamacare with their own health care reforms, if the Supreme Court strikes down a key segment of the current health care law in a ruling expected in June, a senior U.S. lawmaker said on Monday. (1/12)
The Associated Press:
Cruz: GOP 'Will Get Walloped' Without Action On Obamacare
Republicans "will get walloped" in 2016 if they do not deliver on campaign promises, such as working to scrap the controversial national health care law and blocking President Barack Obama's immigration proposals, Sen. Ted Cruz said Monday. The freshman Texas lawmaker said fellow Republican candidates promised during last year's elections to scrap the health care law, which they call Obamacare, and to deny Obama's executive actions, which they call "amnesty." (Elliott, 1/12)
All the while, President Barack Obama and GOP leaders jockey for negotiating positions -
Politico:
GOP Targets Budget Process For Tax Reform
Several influential Republicans want to use a filibuster-proof budget procedure to overhaul the corporate tax code — rather than wield it as a weapon against Obamacare, as conservatives are demanding. The quiet push, led by South Dakota Sen. John Thune, seeks to use the potent tool known as budget reconciliation to give both the GOP and President Barack Obama the sweeping victory on tax policy that business groups want, which could include a significant cut in corporate tax rates as well as provide funding for a long-term transportation bill. In contrast, an attempt to use reconciliation to gut Obama’s health care law might showcase Republicans’ new strength on Capitol Hill but would inevitably end in a veto. (Raju and Everett, 1/13)
The New York Times:
When Picking A Fight Can Also Be A Way To Start To Talk
With his quick veto threats — he issued three more on Monday night — Mr. Obama signaled that he would be aggressive in rejecting legislation he sees as chipping away at his policy priorities, such as the health care law, or his presidential authority to do things like approve an oil pipeline. But by insisting that he wants to collaborate with Republicans, the president — who will host congressional leaders of both parties at the White House on Tuesday — also hinted that there is negotiating room beyond those threats. “The president’s attitude is that we shouldn’t let our disagreements, as big as they are on some issues, prevent us from working together on the things we do agree on,” said Dan Pfeiffer, a senior adviser to Mr. Obama. “If Republicans take a similar attitude, there is an opportunity to prove people wrong and make some progress.” For now, Mr. Obama and congressional Republicans are dwelling mostly on the big disagreements. (Hirschfeld Davis, 1/12)
