McConnell Forces PPACA Repeal to Senate Floor

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell today brought an Affordable Care Act repeal measure up for consideration on the Senate floor.

McConnell called up the Affordable Care Act repeal measure during consideration of S. 223, the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization bill. The measure came to the floor as proposed McConnell amendment number 13

The Affordable Care Act is the federal legislative package that includes U.S. Capitol the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

"It's no secret the American people don't like the health care bill that was passed last year," McConnell, R-Ky., said on the Senate floor, according to a written version of his remarks provided by Senate Republicans. "If you talk with doctors, nurses or anybody else involved with health care over the last year, most of them will tell you they don't like it either. Employers, big and small, have been desperately trying to get the message across of how damaging this bill will be to their ability to create jobs."

McConnell noted that a U.S. District Court judge in Pensacola, Fla., ruled Monday that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional.

"So we have an opportunity today, an opportunity, for all those who supported the health law, it's an opportunity to reevaluate your vote, to listen to your constituents who are desperately trying to get your attention," McConnell said. "You can say perhaps this was a mistake, we can do this better, or you can continue to dismiss the majority of the people in this country as not knowing what they're talking about."

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., spoke in opposition to the proposed repeal amendment and called it "just about the worst idea I have ever heard."

"I think it will be voted down, and I think the minority knows that," Rockefeller said.

Some Americans may have opposed the bill during the "sausage making process," Rockefeller said.

"I think that the momentum is swinging, and I think of what we would be condemned to if the motion were to pass and health care would be repealed," Rockefeller said.

The Republicans seem to have no noteworthy ideas about how to improve the Affordable Care Act other than to repeal it, Rockefeller said.

The Senate could wrap up discussion of amendments to the FAA reauthorization bill Wednesday, according to the Senate floor calendar.

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CORRECTION: Sen. Mitch McConnell was inadvertently promoted in an earlier version of this article. McConnell is the Senate minority leader.