Politics

Some Republicans Look to Delaying, Not Defunding, Obamacare

Don't want to be blamed for government shutdown if GOP pushes to defund the legislation

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Faced with a politically risky push by some Republicans to defund ObamaCare, other party members are turning to an alternative strategy: delay it instead. 

Republicans are divided on how to confront the Affordable Care Act. Some, such as Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah, are pushing to permanently defund it.

But attaching such a measure to a resolution that funds the government after Oct. 1 runs the risk of a government shutdown if it doesn't pass. If that happens, Republicans fear they would be blamed.

Former White House chief of staff Karl Rove told Fox News people who overwhelmingly oppose ObamaCare also oppose shutting down the government by a 2-to-1 margin.