Jones Continues Fight Against Obamacare

Press Release

This week Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) continued his fight against Obamacare by cosponsoring two bills to repeal provisions of the recently enacted health care law. Jones cosponsored H.R. 1173, the Fiscal Responsibility and Retirement Security Act of 2011, and H.R. 1549, the Homeowner Tax Fairness Act of 2011.

H.R. 1173 would repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act (CLASS Act) provisions of Obamacare, which authorized a new federal long term health insurance program. Many members of Congress and outside observers believed the CLASS Act was included in Obamacare as a budget gimmick that would purport to save money in the short term, but actually cost taxpayers billions in the long term. Two weeks ago the Obama Administration publicly acknowledged that the program was fundamentally flawed and financially unsustainable, and announced that it would be terminated. But even with the Administration's announcement, the statutory authorization for the program remains on the books, allowing future administrations the option of reviving the program. Jones and his colleagues feel that option should be eliminated by repealing the underlying the law which authorized the program.

The Homeowner Tax Fairness Act of 2011 would repeal the Obamacare provision that established a new 3.8% tax on the investment income, including capital gains on home sales, of many American families. The tax was included in Obamacare in order to raise revenue to pay for the bill's dramatic expansion of government-funded healthcare.

"This health care law is accelerating our already unsustainable rate of government spending," said Jones, "and it puts an additional tax burden on the American people. This country simply cannot afford Obamacare, and I remain committed to doing everything I can to repeal it."

Congressman Jones voted against Obamacare each time it was considered in the House. He has signed onto every piece of legislation to repeal the massive health care overhaul, as well as any and all parts of it.

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