News & Press

Martha Roby Supports Defunding ObamaCare, Does Bright?

(MONTGOMERY, AL) – A bill that would de-authorize funding for the Obama/Pelosi health care bill was introduced this week by Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA).  Rep Graves’ legislation works alongside other efforts currently underway to repeal and replace the Democrats’ massive government overhaul of the American health care system.

Congressman Bobby Bright voted against the final passage of the health care bill.  However, in the months since its passage, he has also gone on record opposing repeal, calling such efforts “premature” and stating his support for allowing the bill’s numerous provisions to take effect. 

“This is yet another opportunity to undo the damage caused to our health care system by this legislation,” said Martha Roby, Republican candidate for Alabama’s Second Congressional District. “Since the health care bill passed in March, Bobby Bright has time and again defended ObamaCare, despite his vote against it. Will he do the right thing and stop it now?”

“Alabama’s Second District needs a Representative who is willing to stand up and be a leader on this issue,” Roby said.  “We should not have to question whether our Congressman will represent our values and beliefs in Washington.  ObamaCare does not reform health care. Instead, it grows government, creates uncertainty in the private sector, raises taxes, and kills jobs.  We need a Congressman willing to stand up to the Democratic leadership in Washington and their liberal agenda.” 

“I am committed to not only defund, repeal, and replace this bill, but also to find common sense solutions to make health care more affordable, accessible, and portable,” said Roby.

The bill, H.R. 5882, specifically prohibits the authorization of funds for the implementation of provisions within the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.

BACKGROUND:

H.R. 5882, which would de-authorize funding for ObamaCare, was introduced earlier this week and currently has 16 co-sponsors:

SOURCE: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d111:1:./temp/~bdk7Yw:@@@L&summ2=m&|/home/LegislativeData.php?n=BSS;c=111|

Bobby Bright has also refused to sign the discharge petition that would bring a bill to repeal ObamaCare to a vote:

SOURCE: http://clerk.house.gov/111/lrc/pd/Petitions/Dis11.htm

Bobby Bright wants ObamaCare to become law, calling efforts to repeal the health care bill “immature politics:”

“There is some good things about (the bill), though, and to say let’s appeal the whole thing is immature politics.”

SOURCE: Holli Keaton, “Congressman has Health Care on Mind,” Troy Messenger, 4/5/10

Bright has criticized efforts to fight the bill on other occasions as well. Earlier, he called the fight to stop it “premature:”

“While Rep. Bobby Bright, D-Montgomery voted against the bill he said he is hesitant to jump on board with a full-scale appeal. ‘While I strongly disagree with many aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and voted against the bill, I believe it’s premature to discuss repealing a bill that was just passed and has yet to be signed into law by the President,’ he said. ‘A wholesale repeal, or legal challenge, of the bill ignores the fact that this legislation contains some good parts, many of which will go into effect soon.’”

SOURCE: Ryan Charles, “State may join in lawsuit over health care bill,” Troy Messenger, 3/22/10

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