Hensarling on Obamacare Repeal
Hensarling: “The American people do not want it. We can’t afford it.”
WASHINGTON – House Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) delivered the following remarks today on the House floor in preparation for a vote to fully repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare.”
“Madam Speaker, I’ve heard so many of my Democrat colleagues come to the floor, and question, ‘Why are we here to vote to repeal the president’s health care program?’ Let me offer a few reasons. Number one: the American people don’t want it. The longer people have to know this bill, the more intense they are in wanting to see it repealed. Reason number two: we hear from our friends on the other side of the aisle, ‘Well the Supreme Court said it was constitutional.’ Well, the $5 trillion of additional debt that they and President Obama have foisted on the American people, it’s constitutional, but Madam Speaker, it is not wise.
“Seniors know that the president’s health care program cut a half-trillion dollars out of Medicare, a half-trillion dollars. The Independent Payment Advisory Board – one of a 159 boards, commissions, programs to get between Americans and their doctors. The Independent Payment Advisory Board – there to help ration health care for our seniors.
“Another reason … I just heard the distinguished leader of the Democrat party get up and say, ‘We should be talking about jobs, and the economy.’ Well, Madam Speaker, these are the very same people who told us the stimulus bill would help jobs, would help the economy. The stimulus bill was not a jobs bill. Repeal of Obamacare is a jobs bill.
“Talk to any small business person across America, who has 40, 45 workers, and they’ll tell you, ‘We’re not going to go to 50. We’re not going to do that; we’re not going to hire those extra people.’ Talk to a tool and die manufacturer like I have in my district in Jacksonville, Texas. Half their business comes from the medical device industry. You know what? He told me that Obamacare, the medical device tax, is going to force him to lay off workers. The employer mandate costs jobs. The Congressional Budget Office, which the gentleman from Maryland just cited, they themselves say this will cost 800,000 jobs. Private economists: 1 to 2 million. Chamber of Commerce just did a survey of small businesses: 74 percent said this makes it more difficult to hire.
“So after the president just turned in his 41st straight month of 8 percent-plus unemployment, the worst jobs and economic performance since the Great Depression, maybe it’s time for a true jobs bill, Madam Speaker, and a true jobs bill is to repeal Obamacare. The American people do not want it. We can’t afford it. Job creators are losing jobs by it. Let’s repeal it and repeal it today.”
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For additional information, contact:
House Republican Conference Press Office (conferencepress@mail.house.gov)
