Byrne bill becomes conservatives’ ObamaCare repeal weapon of choice

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February 2, 2015

Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL1) (Photo: YouTube)

WASHINGTON — Alabama Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL1) last week became the center of the push to repeal and replace ObamaCare when news broke that House Leadership had chosen his bill as their repeal legislation of choice. On Monday, Byrne’s bill got another boost with the endorsement of Heritage Action for America, arguably the most influential conservative advocacy organization in the country.

“On Tuesday, the House will vote on a bill to repeal ObamaCare in its entirety (H.R. 596),” Heritage Action said in a release. “Reaffirming support for full repeal of ObamaCare is important, but not sufficient. Tuesday’s vote is the beginning of a multi-month effort that should culminate with the House and Senate using the reconciliation process to send a bill that fully repeals ObamaCare to the President’s desk.”

Heritage’s influence in Congress is derived in part from the group’s legislative “Scorecard.” Each congressman and senator receives a score from Heritage Action based on votes they have taken on “key” pieces of legislation. Low scores are frequently used against incumbents in Republican primaries as evidence they are not sufficiently conservative. Byrne’s bill being tagged by Heritage as a “key vote” ensures that Republican lawmakers will be paying especially close attention to it when it comes to the floor for a vote.

Byrne’s bill “to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010,” would allow Congress to pursue health reform with a clean slate.

“I am very pleased the House will vote on a bill to repeal ObamaCare, and I am especially pleased it is my legislation,” Rep. Byrne said. “This vote is notable because it will be the first time since Republicans have taken control of the Senate that the House will act on a bill to repeal ObamaCare. Senator Harry Reid can no longer stand in the way of allowing a vote on repealing this law once and for all.”