Fight To Defund ObamaCare Looms In Congress
Oklahoma congressmen gear up for vote on defunding Obamacare
Oklahoma’s congressional delegation looks to Friday’s vote on a bill that would fund all of government except the health care law, setting up a showdown with the Senate as the clock ticks toward a shutdown.
By Chris Casteel Published: September 20, 2013
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House took the first step Thursday to blocking the health care law with a must-pass budget bill, as members of both parties dug in for a fight that could lead to a government shutdown in less than two weeks.
Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, who has spoken strongly against shutting down the government, guided a resolution through the House setting the parameters for debate on a bill that would fund all government functions except the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
House Republicans are expected to pass that legislation easily on Friday and send it to the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Cole argued Thursday that the bill crafted to defund Obamacare was intended to avoid a government shutdown because it provided money to all other government departments through Dec. 15.