Politics

GOP congressman was for defunding Obamacare before he was against it

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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Idaho Republican Rep. Mike Simpson was for chipping away at Obamacare during the continuing resolution fight before he was against it.

On Tuesday, the GOP congressman told a Capitol Hill publication that he supports voting for a continuing resolution to stop the partial government shutdown — even without provisions defunding, delaying or stopping parts of President Barack Obama’s health care law.

“I’d vote for a clean [continuing resolution] because I don’t think this is a strategy that works,” Simpson told Roll Call. “I think the strategy that works is on the debt ceiling.”

His comments come after releasing numerous statements and getting favorable press back home for voting and speaking out in in support of defunding and changing Obamacare.

On Sept. 21, MagicValley.com, a local outlet, wrote the story: “Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson Votes for Defunding Obamacare.”

On Sept. 28, Simpson said in a news release about delaying Obamacare: “Congress must do everything we can to avoid a government shutdown. This bill meets our obligation to keep the government functioning, and to be responsive to our constituents, who have made it very clear that they do not want to see Obamacare go into effect on October 1st.”

And on Sept. 30, Simpsons said of voting to make sure lawmakers and their staff aren’t exempt from Obamacare: “That is the right thing to do and with healthcare exchanges opening tomorrow, this is the right time to do it.”

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Alex Pappas