Democratic Congressman Joins Effort To Repeal Health Care Reform
Given that he voted against the final bill in March, it’s not all that surprising to hear that Congressman Gene Taylor of Mississippi supports repealing the law. Nonetheless, his status as the first Democrat to join the effort is newsworthy:
A Democratic lawmaker signed onto a Republican petition to repeal healthcare reform.
Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) signed onto a discharge petition drafted by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), Taylor’s office confirmed. His office would not offer any additional comment.
Taylor is the first Democrat to sign onto the petition, a reflection of the tough electoral climate facing Democrats this fall, especially over healthcare reform.
“Adding Rep. Taylor to the discharge petition is a significant step towards repealing Obamacare,” said King. “Rep. Taylor is the first Democrat to sign the discharge petition, and it is my hope that his decision will pave the way for other Democrats who support repeal to break ranks with Speaker Pelosi and President Obama.”
Taylor had voted against the bill on final passage, along with 34 other Democrats.
I’m still skeptical that this repeal effort will go anywhere, at least while Barack Obama is President, but in a year of the unexpected becoming reality, who knows what can happen.
You should be skeptical, Doug. Following the links in the item quoted, it seems that Republicans prefer Wally Herger’s “repeal and replace” strategy to King’s “repeal” strategy.
I guess King needs all the help he can get, but his proposal is going nowhere…even with Taylor’s help.
I do. Nothing can happen. Not only is a presidential veto an absolute barrier – not only is a less-than-60-seat Republican Senate an obstacle (any repeal will certainly be filibustered), but I doubt that even all Republicans would actually cast the vote to bring back the donut hole, the right of insurance companies to deny coverage to those with preexisting conditions, their right to cancel the policies of the sick etc. Its one thing to use “repeal” as a fundraising shtick, or a reelection argument, its a whole ‘nother matter actually voting for it when it has a chance to win.