Boehner Urges GOP To Avoid Celebrating if Reform Law Overturned
On Thursday, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) sent a memo urging House Republicans to avoid celebrating if the Supreme Court rules against the federal health reform law, The Hill's "Healthwatch" reports. "There will be no spiking of the ball," Boehner wrote (Viebeck, "Healthwatch," The Hill, 6/21).
Instead, Boehner outlined a strategy for the party that emphasizes the increasing cost of health insurance and argued that the overhaul has worsened the economy and increased care costs (Helderman, "2chambers," Washington Post, 6/21).
He also reiterated that the party will hold a vote to repeal any provisions of the health reform law that the court maintains, adding that the party will take a "step-by-step" approach to implementing new reforms ("Healthwatch," The Hill, 6/21).
According to the memo, House Republican Conference Chair Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas), and Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Tom Price (R-Ga.) will "help to lead our response efforts" after the court rules (Sherman, "On Congress," Politico, 6/21).
Cantor Repeats Commitment To Repeal the Overhaul
Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) repeated a vow to press to repeal the health reform law if the Supreme Court upholds it, The Hill's "Floor Action Blog" reports.
"Our conference is fully committed to repeal -- total repeal -- of the ObamaCare bill," Cantor said on the House floor. He added, "In July, we will continue to focus on that bill and its impact on employers" (Kasperowicz, "Floor Action Blog," The Hill, 6/21).
Conservative Groups Plan To Celebrate
Several independent conservative groups are gearing up for the Supreme Court's ruling by planning parties and rallies, Politico reports.
FreedomWorks is planning a June 26 gathering at its Washington, D.C., headquarters. The invitation states, "If the Supreme Court comes down on the side of liberty, then weâll celebrate! If not, we promise to have ample food and libations to help you forget your worries."
In a nod to the many experts who expect the ruling to be issued on June 28, the invitation states, "[I]f there's no decision yet? Well ⦠who really needs an excuse to get together anyway?"
Other groups are mobilizing supporters for rallies as soon as the court rules. The Tea Party Patriots has called on members living within two hours of Washington, D.C., to rally in front of the Supreme Court.
Some Groups Holding Off on Celebrations
Meanwhile, some groups are holding off on celebrations.
Jennifer Cooper -- a spokesperson for the National Federation of Independent Business, one of the plaintiffs in the case -- said NFIB has no "formal celebration" planned.
Instead, the group will host a conference call with President Dan Danner and Executive Director Karen Harned on the day of the ruling and a legal briefing with reporters one day later. "We still have a lot of work to do before we can celebrate real health care reform," Cooper said (Cheney, Politico, 6/21).
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