With Republicans in control of the House, 242-193, after November’s midterm elections, the new Congress will convene on Wednesday and move ahead with their campaign to rescind the new healthcare reform law.
The House plans to vote on legislation to repeal the healthcare law on January 12.
Brad Dayspring, spokesperson for the incoming House Republican leader Eric Cantor, is confident that the legislation will be repealed.
“It will pass the House,” Dayspring told Reuters. “Obamacare is a job killer for businesses small and large, and the top priority for House Republicans is going to be to cut spending and grow the economy and jobs.”
Democrats retain control of the Senate by 53-47 and are expected to block repeal of the healthcare law, one of Obama’s biggest victories under his administration. Democratic leaders in the Senate are warning against a repeal of the healthcare provision, which closes a coverage gap in Medicare prescription program for seniors.
“If House Republicans move forward with a repeal of the healthcare law that threatens consumer benefits like the ‘donut hole’ fix, we will block it in the Senate,” Democrats wrote in a letter to incoming House Speaker John Boehner.
“Taking this benefit away from seniors would be irresponsible and reckless at a time when it is becoming harder and harder for seniors to afford a healthy retirement,” the Senate Democratic leaders wrote.
The healthcare reform law provides access to healthcare insurance for millions of Americans without coverage. Opinion polls have shown that the public remains split on the issue.