GOP Eyes Medical Device Tax, Change To Filibuster Rules To Fight Health Law
Congressional Republicans think they may have the votes to force President Barack Obama to accept a repeal of the medical device tax, which helps fund the health law, thanks to support from some Democrats. Some Republican candidates for president are also pushing for a change in the Senate's filibuster rules so they can vote to repeal the law but others in the party oppose that.
The Wall Street Journal:
Fight Over Affordable Care Act Turns To Medical-Device Tax
Congressional Republicans see a repeal of a tax on medical devices as their best opportunity to chip away at the Affordable Care Act after the Supreme Court’s recent decision turning away a challenge to a key component of the law. The House has already voted to repeal the tax, and Senate Republicans are weighing the best timing for a vote to undo the levy, which helps underwrite the health law. President Barack Obama would almost certainly veto a stand-alone repeal, but with a number of Democrats also opposed to the tax, lawmakers think they may be close to having the votes needed to override the president, or insist the tax be rolled back as part of a grand bargain on spending bills later this year. (Stanley-Becker, 7/6)
The Associated Press:
Q&A: As Obama Health Law Survives, GOP Split Over Next Move
Last month's Supreme Court decision upholding the statute's federal subsidies, which help millions of Americans afford health care, shattered the GOP's best chance of forcing Obama to accept a weakening of his prized law. Without that leverage, Obama would likely veto any major changes they'd send him. They could, however, try sending him veto-bait legislation designed to show voters how they'd reshape the nation's health care system — if only Republicans could agree on what to do. With the GOP-run Congress back from a July 4 break, here's a look at their problematic path. (Fram, 7/6)
Politico:
Filibuster Divides GOP 2016 Contenders
The Senate’s arcane rules are creating new fissures in the 2016 presidential primary: Candidates from outside Washington are vowing to gut the filibuster in order to repeal the Affordable Care Act, while GOP senators pursuing the White House want to keep the time-honored 60-vote threshold. (Strauss and Everett, 7/6)