Ted Cruz takes aim at Congress’ Obamacare ‘exemption’

Washington Times ^ | July 20, 2015 | Tom Howell Jr.

[SoConPubbie]

Sen. Ted Cruz, a vocal conservative running for president, will push to expose and prevent fellow members of Congress from “exempting” themselves from Obamacare this week, adding sparks to an already-fraught debate over a highway bill that needs to pass by July 31.

Mr. Cruz, Texas Republican, plans to offer an amendment that would prohibit Capitol Hill lawmakers from obtaining an employer subsidy when they get insurance on an Obamacare exchange.

“Members of Congress retain their illegal exemptions from Obamacare, and it’s time to end the Washington favors that have gone on for far too long,” Mr. Cruz said.

It’s one of several measures the conservative firebrand wants to attach to the roads bill that leaders will bring to the floor Tuesday, including a measure to repeal Obamacare and strip Planned Parenthood of federal funding.

The Affordable Care Act required members of Congress and their official staffers to buy insurance on the exchanges, but the Obama administration’s Office of Personnel Management decided that if they used the D.C. small-business exchange, they could still get their employer subsidies to cover premiums.

Regular Americans who buy plans through the exchange are restricted from having employers contribute to their premiums.

The disconnect has caused some conservatives to object that D.C. insiders granted themselves special favors. It’s the type of accusation that Mr. Cruz has used on the campaign trail, saying the “Washington cartel” of lawmakers and lobbyists put their own interests ahead of their constituents’.

[SoConPubbie]

"If we must have an enemy at the head of Government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible, who will not involve our party in the disgrace of his foolish and bad measures." - Alexander Hamilton "We don't intend to turn the Republican Party over to the traitors in the battle just ended. We will have no more of those candidates who are pledged to the same goals as our opposition and who seek our support. Turning the Party over to the so-called moderates wouldn’t make any sense at all." -- President Ronald Reagan "A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice." - Thomas Paine 1792 "It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." - Samuel Adams "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." - Samuel Adams

[SoConPubbie]

    Ted Cruz Ping!

    If you want on/off this ping list, please let me know.
    Please beware, this is a high-volume ping list!

    CRUZ or LOSE!

[Norm Lenhart]

The NERVE!

THAT’S IT! TED CRUZ JUST LOST MY VOTE!

AGAIN!!!

[Logical me]

Cruz, I’m with you.

[nascarnation]

Why does this have to be part of the “roads bill”?
Why can’t we have a straight up/down vote on it?

[conservativejoy]

He’s not exactly pandering to his fellow Congress Critters, is he!:)

[Norm Lenhart]

How dare he oppose lesser evil? Is he insane? We gotta keep our powder dry because it’s the most important election EVAH!!! Principles don’t matter. We must unite!

And stuff...

[EQAndyBuzz]

It will be just like the insider trading bill. Everyone will go, “yeah yeah” and a month after it is passed it will quietly be repealed.

[Farmer Dean]

I like Ted,but why didn’t he bring this up two years ago?

[COBOL2Java]

That you, Mitch?

[nascarnation]

Who’s “Mitch” ?

[woodenickel]

Why stop there. End ALL exemptions and let the chips fall.

[COBOL2Java]

Who’s “Mitch” ?