Dems Threaten Shutdown If GOP Moves On Obamacare Repeal

House Democrats said Republicans will have to pass the stopgap government funding bill on their own.
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WASHINGTON ― House Democrats will vote against a short-term spending bill to keep the government open if Republicans try to move on a bill to repeal Obamacare this week.

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said that if Republicans try a second time to rush their latest bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act out the door, they will have to pass the one-week continuing resolution without Democratic votes.

“If Republicans announce their intention to bring their harmful TrumpCare bill to the House Floor tomorrow or Saturday, I will oppose a one-week continuing resolution and will advise House Democrats to oppose it as well,” Hoyer said in a statement on Thursday. “Republicans continue to struggle to find the votes to pass a bill that will kick 24 million Americans off their health coverage, allow discrimination against those with pre-existing conditions, and impose an age tax on older Americans.”

The move by Democrats is a big threat as Republican leaders know they will likely need Democratic votes to pass the short-term resolution. If Congress fails to pass the stop gap measure, the government will shut down Friday at midnight.

Democrats in the House are united on their threat. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) criticized Republican leaders for “mixing apples and oranges” by trying to push the health care bill and continuing resolution through the chamber back-to-back.

“I assume they have the votes to pass their extension,” Pelosi said, warning that they shouldn’t rely on her to corral Democrats to support the short-term spending bill.

The stopgap continuing resolution would keep the government open for one week as Democrats and Republicans wrap up negotiations on a larger spending bill.

“My members are left to their own devices,” Pelosi said. “Some of my members do not want any [continuing resolution.] They think there’s been plenty of time.”

If Republicans go forward with a vote on their health care bill, they’ll be putting a “tattoo on their forehead,” Pelosi said, indicating they will likely pay a political price later.

“The minute they cast that vote they are putting doo-doo on their shoe,” she said.

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