Are Republicans Wasting Time on Obamacare Votes?

On Thursday, 5th District Rep. Keith Ellison cast his 37th vote (depending on how you count) against a proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The legislation has no chance of passing since the Senate will likely ignore it and President Barack Obama has promised to veto it on the off chance it ever reached his desk.

Republicans defend the frequent votes by saying they want new legislators to be able to uphold their promise to constituents to try and repeal health care reform, but Democrats accuse Republicans of wasting time for political gain.

Ellison released the following statement after Thursday’s vote: 

Today, for the 37th time in two years, I voted against a partisan attempt by Republicans in Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act guarantees health care coverage for millions of Americans who could not previously afford it. We stopped health insurance bureaucrats from discriminating based on preexisting conditions. And we began to tackle skyrocketing health care costs, like cutting overpayments to insurance companies, and creating incentives for doctors and hospitals to coordinate care.

This is precisely the type of dysfunction the American people are so frustrated with. Last November, the American people reelected President Obama and rejected Republican promises to repeal the law. Republicans have now wasted over 80 hours voting on repeal. This alone has already cost the American taxpayer $55 million.

At the same time, Republicans have made no attempts to repeal the sequester—which affects health care for thousands of women, children and seniors.  My home state of Minnesota will lose over $20 million in funding, costing nearly 500 jobs, according to the Center for American Progress. Over 3,000 fewer people will receive HIV testing—leading to unnecessary spread of the virus. By cutting nutrition assistance for women and children, more Minnesota families will need health care.

We have real health care challenges. Congress is ignoring them. It’s time we stop wasting the American people’s time and start governing.

Patch wants to know what you think: Are the frequent votes a useful part of democracy or are they a waste of time? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.