[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 5 (Friday, January 8, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H210-H211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECONCILIATION ACT--VETO MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED 
                      STATES (H. DOC. NO. 114-91)

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Jolly) laid before the House the 
following veto message from the President of the United States:


[[Page H211]]


To the House of Representatives:
  I am returning herewith without my approval H.R. 3762, which provides 
for reconciliation pursuant to section 2002 of the concurrent 
resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2016, herein referred to as 
the Reconciliation Act. This legislation would not only repeal parts of 
the Affordable Care Act, but would reverse the significant progress we 
have made in improving health care in America. The Affordable Care Act 
includes a set of fairer rules and stronger consumer protections that 
have made health care coverage more affordable, more attainable, and 
more patient centered. And it is working. About 17.6 million Americans 
have gained health care coverage as the law's coverage provisions have 
taken effect. The Nation's uninsured rate now stands at its lowest 
level ever, and demand for Marketplace coverage during December 2015 
was at an all-time high. Health care costs are lower than expected when 
the law was passed, and health care quality is higher--with 
improvements in patient safety saving an estimated 87,000 lives. Health 
care has changed for the better, setting this country on a smarter, 
stronger course.
  The Reconciliation Act would reverse that course. The Congressional 
Budget Office estimates that the legislation would increase the number 
of uninsured Americans by 22 million after 2017. The Council of 
Economic Advisers estimates that this reduction in health care coverage 
could mean, each year, more than 900,000 fewer people getting all their 
needed care, more than 1.2 million additional people having trouble 
paying other bills due to higher medical costs, and potentially more 
than 10,000 additional deaths. This legislation would cost millions of 
hard-working middle-class families the security of affordable health 
coverage they deserve. Reliable health care coverage would no longer be 
a right for everyone: it would return to being a privilege for a few.
  The legislation's implications extend far beyond those who would 
become uninsured. For example, about 150 million Americans with 
employer-based insurance would be at risk of higher premiums and lower 
wages. And it would cause the cost of health coverage for people buying 
it on their own to skyrocket.
  The Reconciliation Act would also effectively defund Planned 
Parenthood. Planned Parenthood uses both Federal and non-federal funds 
to provide a range of important preventive care and health services, 
including health screenings, vaccinations, and check-ups to millions of 
men and women who visit their health centers annually. Longstanding 
Federal policy already prohibits the use of Federal funds for 
abortions, except in cases of rape or incest or when the life of the 
woman would be endangered. By eliminating Federal Medicaid funding for 
a major provider of health care, H.R. 3762 would limit access to health 
care for men, women, and families across the Nation, and would 
disproportionately impact low-income individuals.
  Republicans in the Congress have attempted to repeal or undermine the 
Affordable Care Act over 50 times. Rather than refighting old political 
battles by once again voting to repeal basic protections that provide 
security for the middle class, Members of Congress should be working 
together to grow the economy, strengthen middle-class families, and 
create new jobs. Because of the harm this bill would cause to the 
health and financial security of millions of Americans, it has earned 
my veto.
                                                        Barack Obama.  
                                      The White House, January 8, 2016.

                              {time}  1300

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The objections of the President will be 
spread at large upon the Journal, and the veto message and the bill 
will be printed as a House document.


                     Motion Offered by Mr. Scalise

  Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, I move to postpone consideration of the 
veto message to January 26, 2016.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Louisiana is recognized 
for 1 hour.
  Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, this is a simple motion which will postpone 
further consideration of the President's veto of the bill gutting 
ObamaCare and defunding Planned Parenthood. This short delay will 
ensure that the Members of the House and the American people will have 
the time to fully consider the President's veto and its implications.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the 
previous question on the motion.
  The previous question was ordered.
  The motion was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________