What They’re Saying About Rep. Graves’ Plan To Keep The Government Open

Here’s what’s in the news today about Rep. Tom Graves’ (R-GA-14) Stability, Security and Fairness Resolution, a plan to fund the government for Fiscal Year 2014 while fully delaying and defunding Obamacare until 2015:

National Review: But at this moment, the momentum seems to be with Graves and the push to use the CR for a fight to delay the health-care law.  (“Tom Graves introduces alternative to Cantor plan,” 9/13/13)

ABC News: Hoping to avert a possible government shutdown at the end of the month, Rep. Tom Graves introduced a bill Thursday that he and dozens of his conservative colleagues believe could solve a looming fiscal fight facing Congress. (“Rep. Tom Graves Spending Bill Defunds Obamacare, And Irks Democrats,” 9/12/13)

Roll Call: And, instead of relying on a legislative maneuver to force the Senate to vote on defunding Obamacare…it contains language that would actually zero out funding for the president’s signature health care law. (“43 GOP Lawmakers Float Alternative CR That Defunds Obamacare,” 9/12/13)

Daily Caller: Republican Rep. Tom Graves and 42 House cosponsors introduced a budget plan Thursday to defund Obamacare without forcing a government shutdown, placing pressure solely on the shoulders of Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. (“Republicans introduce plan to stop Obamacare without shutting down government,” 9/12/13)

The Hill: The measure from Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ga.) gives House conservatives the hardline approach they seek by tying the extension of basic government funding to a one-year delay in the Affordable Care Act. Support for this tactic is strong among lawmakers and groups affiliated with the Tea Party. (“43 House Republicans back bill to defund Obamacare,” 9/12/13)

Wall Street Journal: One proposal, put forward by Rep. Tom Graves (R., Ga.), would fund the government for all of fiscal year 2014 but require more cuts and further delay implementation of the health-care law for a year. The measure quickly attracted backers, with 42 Republicans signing on as co-sponsors. (“Boehner Wants Joint Talks on Debt, Budget,” 9/12/13)

Politico: Rep. Tom Graves…tweaked the White House for bowing to pressure earlier this year to put off for a year the start date for a mandate that employers provide health insurance…It would be one thing if his bill were a one-off complaint…But 42 House Republicans signed onto Graves’s measure before he released it. (“White House determined not to give ground on Obamacare,” 9/12/13)

The Washington Times: GOP Rep. Tom Graves of Georgia said Friday that members of Congress are hearing grief from their constituents about the new health care law and are coalescing around his bill to defund the law, despite political hurdles in the days ahead. (“GOP Rep. Graves: Voters are demanding Obamacare defunding,” 9/13/13)

Reuters: The plan…would hold spending on discretionary programs for fiscal 2014 to $967.4 billion - a level that would keep savings from across-the-board "sequester" spending cuts in place. (“U.S. House cancels recess to try to avoid government shutdown,” 9/12/13)

Herman Cain: “It appears as if someone in Washington is listening to the people.” (The Herman Cain Show, 9/13/13)

Senator Mike Lee: “The House should pass this legislation immediately and send it to the Senate. The president has delayed the implementation of ObamaCare for big business, unions, and his special interest supporters. Congress should act to delay it for the rest of the country, as well." (Press release, 9/12/13)

Heritage Action: “By introducing a bill that funds the government but defunds Obamacare, Rep. Graves and his colleagues are stepping up to fill a critical void in the House.  Congress must act now if we are to prevent the damage that will be caused by the implementation of Obamacare.  Already, jobs are being lost, hours cut and insurance lost.  There is absolutely no doubt the law has failed and cannot be salvaged.  We encourage all members to support the Graves bill.” (Press release, 9/12/13)

Club for Growth: “The Club for Growth strongly supports the legislation offered by Congressman Tom Graves to save America from Obamacare,” said Club for Growth President Chris Chocola. “Obamacare has already done immeasurable damage to economic growth, and even labor unions like the AFL-CIO think that it should be repealed. Republicans, Democrats, and independents are united in opposition to this horrible piece of legislation and momentum is building to stop it.” (Press release, 9/13/13)

FreedomWorks: FreedomWorks President Matt Kibbe commented, “We can fund the government without funding ObamaCare. The health care law has undergone over 20 delays and revisions to-date, including exemptions for connected corporations, Congressional staff, and the IRS. If the law isn’t ready to be implemented, the American people should not be paying for it. We are very happy to see Tom Graves stepping up and using every option on the table to dismantle this expensive and coercive law.” (Press release, 9/13/13)

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