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The Secret Republican Plan to Repeal 'Obamacare'
National Journal ^ | 3/28/13 | Chris Frates

Posted on 03/28/2013 6:10:14 PM PDT by SoFloFreeper

A few minutes after the Supreme Court issued its landmark decision upholding President Obama’s health care law last summer, a senior adviser to Mitch McConnell walked into the Senate Republican leader’s office to gauge his reaction.

McConnell was clearly disappointed, and for good reason. For many conservatives, the decision was the death knell in a three-year fight to defeat reforms that epitomized everything they thought was wrong with Obama’s governing philosophy. But where some saw finality, McConnell saw opportunity — and still does.

Sitting at his desk a stone’s throw from the Senate chamber, McConnell turned to the aide and, with characteristic directness, said: “This decision is too cute. But I think we got something with this tax issue.”

He was referring to the court’s ruling that the heart of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, the so-called individual mandate that requires everyone in the country to buy health insurance or pay a penalty, was a tax. And while McConnell thought calling the mandate a tax was “a rather creative way” to uphold the law, it also opened a new front in his battle to repeal it.

McConnell, a master of byzantine Senate procedure, immediately realized that, as a tax, the individual mandate would be subject to the budget reconciliation process, which exempted it from the filibuster. In other words, McConnell had just struck upon how to repeal Obamacare with a simple majority vote.

(Excerpt) Read more at nationaljournal.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: brilliant; death; deathcare; health; healthcare; life; mandate; mandatetax; mcconnell; nothealthcare; obamacare; romneycare; socializedmedicine; taxmandate
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To: Yosemitest

Did Sen. Ted Cruz vote for or against the Continuing Resolution?


21 posted on 03/28/2013 6:51:12 PM PDT by Graewoulf (Traitor John Roberts' Commune-Style Obama'care' violates U.S. Constitution AND Anti-Trust Law.)
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To: Diogenesis

“Why not now?”

Another question ask: why not in the 2012 Senate election? Why not nationalize the election back then, saying “Vote in Republicans and we can and will repeal the tax. Period.”


22 posted on 03/28/2013 6:51:38 PM PDT by ReaganGeneration2
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To: elkfersupper

It needs to be secret because why would you advertise to the enemy what your plans are before you have the tools to implement your strategy?

Defunding will not be enough...you need to replace it with something like tort reform, tax credits, HSA provisions all of which you will not get with a dem controlled senate. I’d rather win with a longer term strategy than with a Pyrrhic victory just so I can feel good for a day.


23 posted on 03/28/2013 6:58:56 PM PDT by what's up
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To: muawiyah

Bill originate in the House and not the White HUT.

When the Republicans (unlikely) get one testicle
between them, they will speak up.
Loudly.
Over and over.

Instead, they lie down as America dies like the frog
in the proverbial boiling pot.


24 posted on 03/28/2013 6:59:54 PM PDT by Diogenesis (De Oppresso Liber)
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To: SoFloFreeper

You have got to be kidding me.

That is similar to the treasonous concept that USG can pass a bill before they look at it.

The majority of Repubs are not on our side. There _are_ some great congressmen, though.


25 posted on 03/28/2013 7:00:36 PM PDT by veracious
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To: ReaganGeneration2

How would you repeal the tax with a president who would veto your bill?


26 posted on 03/28/2013 7:00:54 PM PDT by what's up
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To: muawiyah

one more point...
THEY DO NOTHING because THEIR OWN FAMILIES
are exempt from ObamaCARE.

BUT FOR THE EXEMPTION from the Law, they might not be mute.


27 posted on 03/28/2013 7:01:11 PM PDT by Diogenesis (De Oppresso Liber)
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To: ReaganGeneration2
Another question ask: why not in the 2012 Senate election? Why not nationalize the election back then, saying “Vote in Republicans and we can and will repeal the tax. Period.”

Unfortunately, the identity of the nominee foreclosed on that particular campaign strategy...

28 posted on 03/28/2013 7:07:12 PM PDT by okie01 (The Mainstream Media: IGNORANCE ON PARADE)
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To: Graewoulf
This is all I can find, for now...from RedState...

Ted Cruz will not stand alone. He’ll be joined by the Senator from Utah.

Here’s a statement from Senator Lee’s office:

“I will join Senator Cruz in objecting to Senate consideration of any Continuing Resolution without a vote on delaying funding of Obamacare. Defunding Obamacare is essential to restoring economic growth. At this time of fiscal turmoil, Congress shouldn’t borrow more money to pay for something we cannot afford. Although I would prefer a full repeal of Obamacare, we should at minimum delay its implementation until our country is experiencing real, sustained economic growth.”

29 posted on 03/28/2013 7:14:12 PM PDT by Jane Long (Background checks? Dandy idea, Mr. President. Shoulda started with yours. - Sarah Palin)
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To: A CA Guy

“Those takers and the government union thieves make up that 47%, the rest are going to get pissed as more of the law is enacted IMO.”

What about all of the many unions exepmt from Obamacare by waivers?

That should tell everyone how bad it is before the costs skyrocket out of control, but voters would then have to use truth and logic.


30 posted on 03/28/2013 7:14:29 PM PDT by MikeSteelBe (Austrian Hitler was, as the Halfrican Hitler does.)
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To: Diogenesis
answer: THE GOP SUPPORTS OBAMACARE/ROMNEYCARE or they would have passed a bill to kill it yesterday.

Never let common sense get in the way of an opportunity to bash the GOP. The law can't be repealed without a majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives as well as a President willing to sign the repeal legislation. That is not possible until January 2017 at the earliest. As a realist, Senator McConnell is trying to create the conditions for action when and if the pieces are ever in place. But never fear, you will have ample opportunity in the intervening time to criticize him for not doing the impossible.

31 posted on 03/28/2013 7:28:01 PM PDT by etcb
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To: A CA Guy

Many democrats will “play” conservative, say they made a mistake and say they’re going to repeal obamacare and the suckers will fall for it and re-elect them. Just like republicans.


32 posted on 03/28/2013 7:29:53 PM PDT by Terry Mross (This country will fail to exist in my lifetime. And I'm gettin' up there in age.)
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To: SoFloFreeper
Great news.

Are they going to employ this strategy before or after they organize their way out of a paper bag?

33 posted on 03/28/2013 7:31:20 PM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all -- Texas Eagle)
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To: SoFloFreeper

Why does this evoke images of Animal House scenes?


34 posted on 03/28/2013 7:32:19 PM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all -- Texas Eagle)
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To: SoFloFreeper

Oh yes, it’s very complex, we must pretend to support it to defeat it. /s


35 posted on 03/28/2013 7:39:55 PM PDT by RegulatorCountry
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To: Graewoulf
I believe Sen Ted Cruz wrote the amendment SA 30, and yes, he voted for it.
On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 933 As Amended ) Sen Ted Cruz voted Nay.

I hope you appreciate the time it took me to find this.
36 posted on 03/28/2013 7:44:03 PM PDT by Yosemitest (It's Simple ! Fight, ... or Die !)
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To: Yosemitest; Jane Long

I do indeed! I have asked this question on several FR threads, and nobody seems to know. Thank you!


37 posted on 03/28/2013 7:46:51 PM PDT by Graewoulf (Traitor John Roberts' Commune-Style Obama'care' violates U.S. Constitution AND Anti-Trust Law.)
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To: Diogenesis

“Why not NOW!!”

Exactly. We have Obamacare because the elites in both parties wanted it.


38 posted on 03/28/2013 7:51:55 PM PDT by swampfox101 (l)
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To: Yosemitest; Graewoulf

Thanks for the answer. I knew he’d proposed an amendment against it, but couldn’t get to the actual vote. Too late, too tired ;)


39 posted on 03/28/2013 7:52:59 PM PDT by Jane Long (Background checks? Dandy idea, Mr. President. Shoulda started with yours. - Sarah Palin)
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To: Yosemitest

Bless you, FRiend, for posting this. I’ve seen it on a couple of threads. Good work :)


40 posted on 03/28/2013 7:53:54 PM PDT by Jane Long (Background checks? Dandy idea, Mr. President. Shoulda started with yours. - Sarah Palin)
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