GOP Rules Chairman: Repealing ACA Days Are Behind Us
The second session of the 113th Congress has just begun and already there are indications House Republicans are losing track of their message.
As RNC Chairman Reince Prebius told reporters yesterday that despite the urgent need for an extension of UI benefits, an increase in the minimum wage, and action on jobs – Republicans were going to continue to fight against the Affordable Care Act:
Democrats intend on putting a special emphasis on income inequality issues this year, with efforts to raise the minimum raise and help the unemployed, but the Republican Party is betting that voters in November will still make their concerns about Obamacare their priority. [1/7]
And Majority Leader Cantor listed repealing and undermining the ACA first on his legislative agenda (which, incidentally, had no mention of unemployment benefits or raising the minimum wage):
These steps will be part of the overall effort to protect the American people from the harmful effects of Obamacare by ultimately repealing and replacing the law with patient focused reforms that expand access, ensure quality care, and help control costs. [1/3]
But Senior Republican leader and House Rules Chairman Pete Sessions just told members at the Rules Committee hearing that House Republicans are no longer going to try to repeal the Affordable Care Act because "those days are behind us."
Has the GOP leadership finally come to its senses and decided to stop trying to undermine the patient protections and budget savings in the Affordable Care Act?
For the sake of the American people, we hope so.