U.S. House Plan Overturning Obamacare Halfway There

A measure in the U.S. House of Representatives that would force the chamber into a new vote on Obamacare, even if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi doesn't want it, is halfway toward its needed support.

Advocates say constituents need to call their representatives to tell them to get on board right away so that the petition is positioned to move forward whether or not the GOP becomes the majority in the House after the 2010 fall elections.

The plan is a discharge petition pushed by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa.

"Pursuant to clause 2 of rule XV, I, Steve King of Iowa, move to discharge the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, Education and Labor, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, Rules, House Administration, and Appropriations from the consideration of the bill (H.R. 4972) to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was referred to said committees on March 25, 2010, in support of which motion the undersigned Members of the House of Representatives affix their signatures. …"

Its target is the $940 billion, or more, bill adopted by the Democrat-controlled Congress in March. King's measure has 109 signatures, exactly half of the 218 needed for it to move forward without hindrance.

House Minority Leader John Boehner and Minority Whip Eric Cantor, who have joined the campaign, released a statement encouraging the effort.

"Republicans are the proponents of limited government, personal responsibility, and constitutional liberties, principles which 'Obamacare' violates," said King. "Recognizing this fact, every House Republican voted against 'Obamacare' just three months ago. Now that our repeal effort has been endorsed by House GOP leadership, House Republicans should stand by their votes by signing onto discharge petition No. 11."

He said, "The American people did not want 'Obamacare' passed, and they have consistently called for their representatives to show that they stand with them by repealing the legislation. Our discharge petition provides an avenue for repeal that even Speaker Pelosi cannot block. Republicans recognize that a clean, 100 percent repeal bill is the best strategy for uprooting 'Obamacare' lock, stock and barrel, and will continue to show their commitment to 'Obamacare's' repeal by quickly signing our discharge petition."

Congressional officials said Pelosi, an adamant advocate for government-controlled health care, never would allow a vote on a plan to overturn Obamacare. But through the discharge petition process in the House, if a majority of members sign on, she cannot stop it.

The fact that support is required from 218 members also means any plan thus endorsed likely would pass the 435-member House.

GOP leaders want all party members to be on board – as they all voted against Obamacare. Also, Democrats that also opposed the narrowly approved plan are being asked to participate.

An inside congressional source told WND the pressure also will be on all other members as the November 2010 elections approach, since poll after poll has indicated a significant majority of Americans dislike Obamacare to the point of seeking its repeal.

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