Anti-tax activist Grover Norquist and a coalition of advocacy groups on Wednesday sent a letter to Republican congressional leaders asking them to join the campaign to defund Obamacare in the upcoming spending debate on Capitol Hill.
Calling themselves the Obamacare Repeal Coalition, the co-signers told House Speaker John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, the new health care law is “simply not ready” for implementation on Oct. 1, when state-based insurance markets begin to enroll Americans without employer-based health insurance so they can buy coverage with the help of government subsidies.
The letter from Mr. Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform, and others is the latest salvo in a growing drive to dismantle President Obama’s health reforms through the massive spending bill, known as a “continuing resolution,” that is needed to fund the government this fall and beyond.
Defying their party leaders, Republican Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas, Marco Rubio of Florida and Mike Lee of Utah are leading the charge to strip funding from the health care law during the coming budget showdown.
But senior Republicans have resisted the call, saying the party risks being blamed for a government shutdown.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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