We're still two days away from a possible federal government shutdown, but House Republicans found time in their busy schedule to repeal a segment of Obamacare. Again.
The House passed a bill by a margin of 258 to 165 to repeal the individual mandate for persons who've been enrolled in co-ops.
The White House threatened a veto on the bill, arguing that it would chip away at the individual mandate, a crucial component of the law that helps prevent people from waiting until they get sick to sign up for coverage.
Rep. Bob Dold (R-Ill.), who is facing a tough reelection bid this year, took to the House floor to argue that the measure is not dismantling the individual mandate, but is a “narrow, tailored bill.”
I don't have a particularly strong opinion on the merits of this measure, but I do believe Congress has other, more important matters to attend to. Congress hasn't sent a single appropriations bill to the president's desk this year. That's why we're just days away from a possible shutdown.
It appears as if Congressional Republicans and Democrats have reached a deal to avoid a shutdown, but it hasn't been advanced through both chambers yet.