'Repeal It' Group Vows to Undo Health Reform If It Becomes Law

tom-diemer

Tom Diemer

Correspondent
Posted:
03/18/10
Rarely have politicians signed up to undo a law before it takes effect, or has even passed. But dozens of Republican members of Congress and candidates have done just that with health care reform, agreeing to a "Repeal It" pledge authored by the conservative Club for Growth.

The repeal movement is still small -- fewer than 40 House and Senate members and another 160 or so candidates -- but it suggests the contentious debate will extend beyond any possible resolution of the issue in Congress this year and also past the November elections.

The signers include some of the most conservative lawmakers, including Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), a favorite of the Tea Party movement, the Washington Post reported Wednesday. Other opponents are threatening lawsuits if the measure becomes law, especially in the event the House avoids a direct vote by using a "deem and pass" procedure.

The "Repeal It" effort is largely symbolic. Even if Republicans win back control of the House or Senate in the midterm elections, it would be difficult to roll back such a law while President Obama remains in the White House.