House Republicans have decided to vote on overriding President Obama’s veto of a major Obamacare repeal bill just a few days before the law’s third enrollment season ends, giving them yet another chance to broadcast their dislike of the sweeping healthcare legislation.
The GOP originally had discussed voting to override the veto on Jan. 22, the same day as the annual March for Life opposing abortion. But under a motion brought by House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, they agreed on Friday to hold the vote the next week, on Jan. 26.
That’s just a few days before open enrollment ends Jan. 31, an important deadline for the Obama administration as it seeks to maximize participation in the law’s health insurance offerings.
There are enough votes in the House to override Obama’s veto of the bill, which repeals major provisions of the healthcare law along with defunding Planned Parenthood for one year, but Senate Republicans lack the two-thirds majority they would need to reverse the president’s action.
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer said Friday he’s “disappointed” his GOP colleagues won’t vote right away to override the veto and send the bill to the Senate, where the same effort will fail.
“Democrats welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that Congress does not have the votes to override the president’s veto,” Hoyer said. “Notwithstanding any postponement, Democrats have the votes to sustain the veto and defend the critical health care reforms that have helped millions of Americans attain coverage.”
