Republicans vow to repeal healthcare law

Financial Times:

Congressional Republicans have made the repeal of the Obama administration’s landmark healthcare law a cornerstone of the party’s agenda even though most Republicans in Washington acknowledge there is little chance such a reversal is possible.

The 45-page ”Pledge to America”, unveiled in a timberyard in Sterling, Virginia, by party leaders in the House of Representatives, zeroed in on issues that are popular with conservative voters – including cutting $100bn in government spending – but did little to clarify how a ruling Republican majority would accomplish that goal.

If Republicans gain control of the House, they could seek to block funding to implement the new law through their control of the appropriations process. But Democrats are expected to hold on to their majority in the Senate and President Barack Obama could veto any legislation that seeks to derail his healthcare initiative.