WASHINGTON (MEDIA GENERAL) – Republicans in Congress passed a bill they know President Obama will not approve. For the first time, they are sending a bill both the Senate and House approved that repeals the Affordable Care Act and defunds Planned Parenthood to the President’s desk late Wednesday afternoon.
“This is what we promised to do – we are making good on that promise,” Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said.
House Republicans have tried more than 50 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which is often called Obamacare.
“Today is a really good day for us,” Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) said.
President Obama said in early December he would veto the bill. Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said defunding Planned Parenthood interferes with a woman’s ability to plan their family.
“It’s again, a lack of respect,” Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said. “It’s about a lack of safety.”
Blackburn thinks there is still a chance Republicans could find enough support to overpower the President’s veto.
“You know, we have passed some things out of the house that people didn’t think we would ever get passed, so we’ll see,” Blackburn said.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan claimed Republicans are working to figure out an alternative program to Obamacare, but would not go into any detail Wednesday.
