The House voted 228-201 late Monday to delay for one year a major element of the law -- the requirement that by 2014 all Americans must carry health insurance or face a fine. The measure also included a provision that would hit lawmakers’ pocketbooks by ending the government’s long-standing payment of a portion of the healthcare premiums for members of
With just hours to prevent a
“We are not going to mess around with Obamacare, no matter what they do,” said Senate Majority Leader
While Democrats have remained unified behind Reid, the high-stakes battle over a potential government shutdown has split Republicans. Their divisions were reflected in the runup to the vote.
To ward off potential rebellions from both right and left, Speaker
Both rebellions fizzled.
In public, GOP leaders argued that after the Obama administration delayed a requirement that large businesses provide insurance, it should also delay the requirement that individuals purchase insurance.
"What our members want is fairness for the American people," said Boehner. "We believe that everyone should be treated fairly."
Earlier Monday, Senate Democrats defeated an earlier GOP measure to delay the Affordable Care Act for one year and to repeal a new tax on makers of medical devices.
The Senate also unanimously agreed to a House-passed bill to ensure military troops are paid in the event of a government shutdown.
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