Club for Growth: Obamacare Repeal Should Include the Lee-Cruz Consumer Freedom Option and Nix the NIIT

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“Congress should not stand in the way of allowing Americans who want to opt out of Obamacare to do so.”

 

Washington, DC – Today, Club for Growth President David McIntosh issued the following statement in response to ongoing discussions about how to improve the Senate GOP’s Obamacare repeal efforts:

“The fate of Obamacare repeal currently lies in the hands of the U.S. Senate—many members of which won their seats based on campaign promises to repeal and replace Obamacare,” said Club for Growth President David McIntosh.

“After almost a decade of promising to repeal Obamacare, it’s time for Republican senators to put their money where their mouths are and get it done.

“At a bare minimum, Congress should not stand in the way of allowing Americans who want to opt out of Obamacare to do so.  And that’s why it’s so important that the new Senate Obamacare repeal bill include the Lee-Cruz Consumer Freedom Option, which would allow individuals to opt out of Obamacare’s costly regulations.

“While including the Lee-Cruz amendment would be a significant step in the right direction, a step in the wrong direction—more like a trip—would be for the GOP to keep the 3.8 percent Net Investment Income Investment Tax (NIIT) on capital gains and dividends.  This tax, just like any tax increase, is an anathema to conservatives as it suppresses economic growth and opportunity throughout our nation.  Under no circumstances should the NIIT be included in any forthcoming Republican ‘repeal’ bill.

“If Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is unable to salvage the ‘Better Care Reconciliation’ bill, then the next best option would be to pass a real repeal bill as a standalone.  That is, a bill that would repeal all of the taxes and all of the regulations in Obamacare.

“The American people are tired of a Congress that overpromises and underdelivers.  That wouldn’t cut it in any other workplace and it shouldn’t fly in Congress either.  With thirteen legislative days left between now and Labor Day, the American people’s message to Congress couldn’t be clearer: they’ve got to get the job done.”

 

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