Study: Senate Can Repeal Obamacare’s Regulations through Reconciliation, with Only 51 Votes

Washington Examiner (via CATO Institute) ^ | March 22, 2017 | Michael F. Cannon

[AJFavish]

President Trump pledged during the presidential campaign to deliver legislation that “fully repeals Obamacare.” By forcing the House to a vote on a bill that does not repeal the health insurance regulations that are the driving force behind the Affordable Care Act’s skyrocketing premiums and low-quality coverage, Republican leaders are abandoning the president’s pledge. The leadership bill would only modify those regulations. As a result, the Congressional Budget Office projects, it would increase premiums 15-20 percent above their already-high levels and leave more people uninsured than full repeal would.

House leaders claim Senate rules require a 60-vote supermajority to repeal the regulations, which Republicans do not have. So they crafted a bill they say can pass the Senate with a simple, 51-vote majority.

That explanation holds less water than a leaky bucket.

[Diogenesis]

The GOP — led by Pelosi-approved Soros-approved Ryan —
is out to destroy Pres. Trump. So far they have
WASTED 2+ Months lying about what they promised.

Of course, THEY remain EXEMPT.

[SecAmndmt]

It has crossed my mind that everything we see happening in our institutions (govt, media, education) at present is ultimately intended to demolish the true “loyal opposition”: conservatives, Christians, constitutionalists etc

Given the environment, I suppose we should be thankful that we even have 30 freedom caucus members

[Petrosius]

Senate rules allow the Senate to repeal the terms and conditions attached to government spending, along with that spending, by a simple majority. If the Senate removes all Obamacare spending from the federal budget, Senate rules allow it to remove those regulations as well.

[plain talk]

The GOP — led by Pelosi-approved Soros-approved Ryan — is out to destroy Pres. Trump.

I don't think so. The pubs are doing what they usually do given the vast quantities of RINOs. Trump is in the middle of it now and has joined with the RINOs against the conservatives.

[angry elephant]

I wonder whether Trump actually supports this bill. Maybe he gave it to Ryan to appease him. Maybe his thought was “Here ya go, Dude. Write it up and see if it flies.”

Since we know that Ryan is an open borders Rino, perhaps Trump gave him something that Ryan wanted to do and a better-crafted plan will arise later.