Republicans Give Final Push to Repeal Obamacare, Defund Planned Parenthood

Fr. Mark Hodges : Sep 21, 2017
LifeSiteNews.com

Besides defunding Planned Parenthood for one year and eliminating Obamacare's forced abortion coverage mandate, the legislation would transfer money allocated by Obamacare for Medicaid expansion and federal subsidies to the states ... "I believe that most Republicans like the idea of state-controlled healthcare versus Washington DC-controlled healthcare," said Sen. Lindsey Graham.

(Washington, DC)—[LifeSiteNews.com] Congress has just days to accomplish campaign promises to defund Planned Parenthood, stop abortion coverage mandates, and replace Obamacare. (Photo: Sen. Lindsey Graham/via Virginia GOP)

After numerous failed attempts, legislation championed by U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, and Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, would accomplish those promises. But Republicans have only until September 30 to use the "reconciliation" process, which avoids a Democratic filibuster and passes budget-related legislation with a simple 50-vote majority.

Republicans had that simple majority in past attempts to rescind Obamacare and Planned Parenthood tax dollars, but Senators John McCain of Arizona, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Susan Collins of Maine reversed their previous votes to vote "No," keeping socialized medicine and the nation's largest abortion chain funded.

Conservatives have expressed frustration and disappointment in the Republican-controlled House, Senate and White House as numerous attempts to defund Planned Parenthood failed.

But the Graham-Cassidy bill is gaining momentum:

Last Thursday, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell promised to bring the bill to the floor if Cassidy and Graham can deliver the 50 votes to pass it.

On Monday, House Speaker Paul Ryan called the bill the "best, last chance" to replace Obamacare and said if the senate passes it, the House will also.

Two Senate committees announced hearings on the bill.

President Trump "applauded" the legislation "to address the Obamacare crisis."

Graham and Cassidy are drumming up votes along with Senators Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, and Dean Heller, R-Nevada, in an effort to gain the 50 votes needed, plus Vice President Mike Pence's tiebreaking vote, to pass the measure...

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