House Votes to Repeal Obama’s Health Care Plan

Fueled by a new Republican majority, members of the House voted today to repeal the president’s health care plan by a vote of 245 to 189. A simple majority was necessary for passage.

Three Democrats — Dan Boren of Oklahoma, Mike McIntyre of North Carolina and Mike Ross of Arkansas — sided with all Republicans to repeal the plan, which was signed into law last March as the “Affordable Care Act.”

As we’ve noted, today’s vote is largely a symbolic move orchestrated by Republicans to make good on their campaign pledge to challenge “Obamacare.” Republicans are well aware that Democrats have vowed to block the measure in the Senate, where Democrats still maintain a majority.

Republicans are pushing Democrats to let the measure have its day in the Senate. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) today challenged Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to bring the measure up for a vote in the Senate. “The American people deserve a full hearing, they deserve to see this legislation go to the Senate for a full vote,” Cantor said Wednesday.

Republicans plan tomorrow to direct committees to begin work on a replacement health care bill. But the party continues to pursue many other avenues to attack the health care law, including rescinding specific provisions, cutting off funding and pushing back in the courts.

{Yahoo News/Matzav.com}