Smith Votes to Repeal Obamacare

Smith Votes to Repeal Obamacare

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Lamar Smith (TX-21) today voted to repeal the President’s costly and ineffective government takeover of the health care sector. The Republican-led House of Representatives passed the Repeal of Obamacare Act (H.R. 6079) by a vote of 244-185.

Congressman Smith, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, managed part of the debate on the House floor and urged his colleagues to repeal Obamacare and replace it with reforms that have proved effective at reducing healthcare costs. A recent Reuters’ poll found that 56 percent of respondents oppose Obamacare and 61 percent oppose the individual mandate. 

Chairman Smith: “Although the Supreme Court has delivered its decision on Obamacare, it is the people whose verdict counts the most.  And the American people have consistently rejected this costly and ineffective government takeover of health care. They realize that the law fails our families, drives up the cost of health care, undermines the doctor-patient relationship, tramples on the religious liberty of millions of Americans, and vastly expands the role of the federal government.

“After the Supreme Court’s decision, we now know that Obamacare is a massive tax hike on the middle class. According to the Wall Street Journal, 75 percent of the laws new taxes will be paid for by families who make under $120,000 per year. 

“Only when Obamacare is fully repealed can we enact real reforms that reduce health care costs without raising taxes or restricting the rights of Americans.”

In remarks on the House floor, Congressman Smith urged Congress to consider medical liability reforms to help lower health care costs. According to a Harvard University study, 40 percent of medical malpractice lawsuits filed in the United States lack evidence of medical error or any actual patient injury.  Many of these suits amount to legalized extortion of doctors and hospitals. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that lawsuit abuse reform would save taxpayers $48 billion over the next decade. 

A full copy of Congressman Smith’s remarks can be found here. Video of Chairman Smith’s floor remarks from last night’s debate is available here.