House to Vote on Federal Funding Resolution That Defunds Obamacare

Slouching toward government shutdown

The House of Representatives has voted 40 times to repeal or curtail theAffordable Care Act since Republicans took control of the chamber in 2011—and each time the Democratic Senate has swatted away their bills.

In using the threat of a government shutdown as leverage, House Republicans will vote Friday on legislation they view as their single best opportunity to block the president's signature legislative accomplishment just as it is about to take hold.

Much of the federal government will cease operation at month's end unless Congress passes new legislation, referred to as a continuing resolution, to keep the lights on. The House will vote to do just that—extend the existing funding levels for another 75 days—but with a catch: The legislation includes an amendment to prohibit funding to implement the new healthcare law.