The Patriot Post® · GOP Sends ObamaCare Repeal to Obama's Desk

Fulfilling a promise made by Republicans in 2010, House Speaker Paul Ryan has dodged and weaved through congressional rules and is on the verge of passing a bill that would repeal ObamaCare and deny federal funds to Planned Parenthood. For the first time, an ObamaCare repeal — by way of a bill called Restoring Americans’ Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act — will arrive on Barack Obama’s desk. By waiting until the New Year, GOP lawmakers could use the process of budget reconciliation, a process that can be used only once a year because it dodges filibuster efforts from the minority.

“This is our best shot to stand up for our principles on behalf of the American people,” read a statement from Ryan’s office. “‘You can use this bill once a year, and we’re using it for this,’ Speaker Ryan said recently on Bill Bennett’s show. In doing so, we’re forcing the president to confront the failures of this law once and for all.”

For actual ObamaCare repeal, the bill will accomplish little other than important election-year symbolism. Republicans have not passed a replacement for ObamaCare, nor do they have enough votes to overcome the inevitable Obama veto. The Congressional Budget Office said Monday the bill would trim the nation’s deficit by a half-trillion dollars over 10 years. Furthermore, at a time when Obama is guiding the national debate through his gun control executive orders, Ryan is focusing on Obama’s failed policies ahead of the 2016 election.