Congressional Republicans have not been able to reach a consensus on how to oppose the Affordable Care Act.
Media reports of a heated discussion in the Senate Republican Conference between John Boozman of Arkansas and Ted Cruz of Texas underscores a growing disagreement in the party over how to tackle “Obamacare.”
Some in the GOP want to amend the law, while others are willing to defund it even if that means shutting down the government.
Boozman says action must be taken to repair the law because it is unaffordable.
“The problem is, for those of us who oppose Obamacare, the votes simply aren’t there in the Senate to derail it,” said Boozman. “We will have to wait and see, but at the end of the day the [House-passed bill to defundObamacare, but also keep the government funded until Dec. 15] will go back to the House and then they will have to decide whether to pass it as is or amend it.”
Boozman says the health care law is becoming more unpopular with the public and he opposes it.
However, he’s concerned that a government shutdown, as advocated by some in his party, could negatively impact Arkansans because members of the military would not get paid, a lot of private businesses may have to shutdown, and Social Security checks would be delivered late.
