By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Wednesday, January 28, 2015, Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-Montrose) introduced legislation to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, popularly known as Obamacare, and replace the controversial healthcare reform legislation with a plan that Rep. Byrne says will actually lower costs and increase competition.
Representative Byrne said in a video statement, “The facts are clear: ObamaCare is driving up costs and placing a real burden on the American people. Everywhere I go in Southwest Alabama, I hear a different story about how this law is making life harder for families, doctors and small businesses.”
Rep. Byrne said, “ObamaCare is beyond repair. No quick legislative fix will make all the problems go away. We must repeal ObamaCare in its entirety. I encourage my colleagues to join me in this effort to repeal ObamaCare, and I hope the House will soon consider this full repeal legislation.”
The legislation, H.R. 596, repeals ObamaCare in its entirety and calls on the relevant House committees to submit legislation within each committee’s jurisdiction to replace ObamaCare based on twelve guiding principles.
Rep. Byrne said on Thursday, January 29, “I am very pleased the House will vote next week on a bill to repeal ObamaCare, and I am especially pleased it is my legislation. In addition to repealing the law which is making life harder for so many Americans, the bill instructs the relevant Committees in the House to come forward with an alternative, patient-centered solution to help fix our health care system.”
The House of Representatives has voted to repeal the unpopular Obamacare at least 50 times since Republicans took control of the House in the 2010 election, but none of those bill were ever voted on by the Democratic controlled U.S. Senate. Rep. Byrne said that this time is different, “This vote is notable because it will be the first time since Republicans have taken control of the Senate that the House will act on a bill to repeal ObamaCare. Senator Harry Reid can no longer stand in the way of allowing a vote on repealing this law once and for all.”
Rep. Byrne said, “This also marks the first time the House has voted to repeal the failed law since it has been fully implemented. This year hardworking taxpayers are fully realizing just how many different areas this law touches ranging from new tax requirements and penalties to higher deductibles to canceled plans…This is an issue I have heard about almost every day since I first ran for Congress two years ago, and I am proud to be able to champion this important legislation. I thank the leadership in the House for bringing this legislation up for a vote, and I urge my colleagues to join me in bringing real relief to American families and small businesses.”
If the bill passes the House it faces an uncertain future in the now Republican controlled Senate because it needs support from Democratic Senators to overcome a Democratic filibuster. If it does pass the Senate, it is unlikely that President Barack Hussein Obama is going to sign a bill repealing his signature piece of legislation.
Congressman Bradley Byrne represents Alabama’s First Congressional District.
