Yesterday we noted that Republicans are considering a piecemeal repeal of Obamacare even though they have no viable alternative that has been fully vetted and stands ready to replace the failed legislation (see "Republicans Consider Obamacare Repeal Without A Replacement Strategy"). And while King Obama is happy to leave a path of destruction on his way out of the White House for the new administration to clean up, he"s not so keen on Trump"s vow to repeal his single crowning piece of legislation.
And while there"s not much that Democrats can do at this point to stop a repeal by Republicans, Obama has decided to schedule a rare meeting at the Capitol next week to strategize with House and Senate Democrats and "share his perspective about the dangers posed by Congressional Republicans’ stated strategy." Per The Hill:
Obama will hold a joint meeting with House and Senate Democrats at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the Capitol Visitor Center auditorium. The notice for the meeting says the session is expected to last "at least one hour."
The White House said Obama will use the meeting to "share his perspective about the dangers posed by Congressional Republicans’ stated strategy to repeal the [Affordable Care Act] before proposing any replacement, creating chaos in the health system in the short run — and holding hostage Americans’ health care — while Republicans develop their plan."
Unfortunately for Dems, given that Republicans will control all three branches of government next month and only a simple majority vote will be required to repeal the law in the Senate through the reconciliation process, they"re pretty much powerless. In light of their weak position, Chuck Schumer and Nanacy Pelosi have decided to do what Democrats always do when they lose...organize protests which will inevitably result in violence and the destruction of private property.
Powerless against a reconciliation bill, Democrats are trying to gin up political pressure to try and stop the Republican push.
Top Democrats Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) are organizing rallies against repeal for Jan. 15, and pro-ObamaCare groups have launched ads in states with Republican senators that they think are most likely to be swayed. Those states include Arizona and Nevada, home to the two 2018 Senate races where Democrats are seen as having some chance of picking up a seat.
Democrats argue that Republicans should not repeal the law, even on a delay, and jeopardize healthcare for more than 20 million people until they have put forward a replacement plan.
Republicans do not need Democratic votes to repeal the core of the law through the special process known as reconciliation, which allows the measure to advance with a simple majority in the Senate.
And while Chuck and Nancy are hopeful they can flip Republican Senators from Arizona, we suspect that modest 145% Obamacare premium hike for 2017 might be a slight problem...
Oh well, just keep sailing forward Obama, we"re sure all will work out well.
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