Republicans Start 2016 by Trying to Repeal Obamacare Again

The Republicans have tried dozens of times to repeal the ACA.

— -- After five years and dozens of attempts, Republicans are sending a bill to President Obama’s desk to roll back his signature healthcare law.

The House passed Wednesday a measure that repeals elements of Obamacare and denies Planned Parenthood federal funds, two policy priorities Republicans have struggled to move through Congress.

The House passed the bill 240–181 along party lines. The vote was called at 5:56 p.m., with Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Illinois, in the chair.

President Obama is expected to issue his sixth veto on the measure, which passed through the Senate in December. Still, Republicans say they are forcing the president to defend his policies.

Ryan promised last year that Republicans would put forward a GOP-alternative to Obamacare in 2016. Asked today about the status of that plan, Ryan said “just wait.”

While he has said the GOP needs a Republican in the White House to fully repeal Obamacare, some hardliners want to see Ryan and other GOP leaders pick up the fight in the appropriation process for next year.

Democrats used budget reconciliation to pass the Affordable Care Act in 2010.