Bridesntine Urging Senate To Stop ObamaCare
Read Bridenstine’s letter here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, September 26, 2013
Congressman Jim Bridenstine Asks Senators to Stand Strong
It is time to actually stop ObamaCare.
The American people are tired of Congress taking meaningless votes. The U.S. House of Representatives has voted over 40 times to repeal or defund ObamaCare knowing that such legislation has little chance to see the light of day in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Fiercely protecting President Obama, Majority Leader Harry Reid never brings legislation to the floor of the Senate to consider stopping this job-killing law.
Last week the House passed “must pass” legislation that the Senate must consider to keep the federal government operating into the new fiscal year. The Continuing Resolution (CR) passed by the House fully funds the government without funding ObamaCare.
I drafted a letter, signed by 21 members of the House of Representatives and hand delivered to every Republican Senator, telling them that we regard any cloture vote that gives Senator Reid a green light to reinstate ObamaCare into this CR the same as a vote for ObamaCare itself.
It’s time for the Senate to stand strong.
If Harry Reid and the Democrats want to amend the House-passed CR and add back in funding for ObamaCare, such an amendment should be passed only if broadly supported. It is perfectly appropriate for Republicans to require a 60-vote threshold. Unfortunately, Harry Reid is trying to use the Senate rules to require only a simple majority to pass amendments including re-funding ObamaCare in the CR.
Not a single Republican voted for the initial passage of ObamaCare, and none should enable it now. If Republican Senators hold strong and demand a 60-vote threshold, they can force Senator Reid to allow a vote on the bill passed in the House, without funding for ObamaCare. Republicans must not vote for “cloture”, a step which would end debate, until Harry Reid guarantees a 60-vote threshold on any amendment including his amendment to add back ObamaCare.
If Republicans vote for cloture, they are voting to enable Reid’s amendment to pass with a simple majority. This is effectively voting for ObamaCare.
If implemented, ObamaCare will change our entire healthcare system and our country forever, impacting the lives of every American. Securing 60 votes is not too much to ask. Our nation is bitterly divided because there is far too little consensus on major political matters. We need more unity to help heal our country. Sixty votes would help move toward that.
Additional members are asking to be added to the letter. The House knows it’s time for the Senate to stand strong.
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