WASHINGTON -- Even if the House of Representatives has to pass a third version of a continuing resolution to fund the government, it will include a provision that changes the president’s health care law, the House GOP Whip said on Sunday.
Hours after House Republicans (aided by two Democratic members) passed their second continuing resolution, which included a year-long delay of Obamacare and a permanent repeal of the law’s tax on medical devices, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) appeared on Fox News Sunday to discuss the state of play. Host Chris Wallace pressed him to explain what the chamber had in store in the very likely case that the Senate tables that second bill and demands, once more, that the House pass a clean government funding measure.
McCarthy was largely coy on the matter, suggesting at one point that the Democratic-controlled Senate wouldn't necessarily reject the House’s offer. But he did insist that if the House had to convene again it would produce another bill that altered Obamacare.
“The House will get back together in enough time, send another provision not to shut the government down but to fund it and it will have a few other options in there for the Senate to look at again,” he said.
“We will pass a bill if the Senate [tables the CR] that will keep the government open, that will reflect the House, that I believe the Senate can accept, that will have fundamental changes into Obamacare that can protect the economy of America.”
This may just be a bluff on McCarthy’s part, but it does appear that House GOP leadership has committed itself to tackling Obamacare in any continuing resolution, even if it results in a government shutdown. The main question now is, what changes will they try to make to the law?
Asked this question, McCarthy didn’t offer specific approaches, save to say: “There are a lot of items that are on the table.”
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