The White House has threatened to veto a bill that would repeal a public health fund aimed at promoting exercise and preventing smoking. Obama has said the measure is important for helping Americans improve their health, but Republican opponents have tagged it an "Obamacare slush fund."
The House passed the rule for the repeal bill 241-179 late on Wednesday, with five Democrats voting in support. A vote to pass the bill is scheduled for Wednesday evening.
It is certain to die in the Senate, and the White House made sure to send the message that the bill would go nowhere.
“The administration will continue to work with the Congress to responsibly implement the Affordable Care Act,” the Office of Management and Budget said in a statement.
“However, the administration will strongly oppose legislation that attempts to erode the important provisions of the Affordable Care Act that are making health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans. If the President is presented with legislation that would eliminate funding or repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto it.”
Republicans say the provision, which lays out $15 billion in spending over 10 years, amounts to a "taxpayer-funded social-engineering effort."
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