A disagreement over funding for the Affordable Care Act has some House Republicans threatening a federal government shutdown. Florida Congressman Steve Southerland is one Republican hoping to defund the health care law, but there’s a campaign underway aimed at changing the Congressman’s mind.
Thousands of automated phone calls recently went out to Floridians urging them to tell Florida Congressman Steve Southerland not to shut down the federal government if so-called ObamaCare keeps its funding. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is behind the robocalls, according to the organization’s spokesman David Bergstein.
“Even the conservative Wall Street Journal editorial board called this a kamikaze mission. And, now the Republican leaders are the pilots. The question now is will Congressman Southerland put a stop to this Republican manufactured crisis before it’s too late,” said Bergstein.
“So, we’re asking Florida families to ask Congressman Southerland if he will put a stop to this Republican-manufactured crisis, before it hurts more Florida families.”
The House is slated this week to vote on a budget bill which excludes funds for President Barack Obama’s health care law. Congressman Southerland has co-sponsored a plan to help do that. Southerland’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
Below is the robocall script:
“Hi, I’m calling on behalf of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee with a Voter Information Alert. Republicans in Congress are threatening to shut down the government unless they can eliminate your rights and consumer protections under the Affordable Care Act. You heard that right: take away healthcare or shut down the government. That’s the choice. It’s appalling. “And if Congressman Steve Southerland doesn’t make it stop, seniors’ Social Security checks would be up in the air and our military families couldn’t count on getting paid. It would have a devastating impact on families around the country. “And what does this mean for you? It means Republicans are trying to take away your right to health insurance – even if you have a preexisting condition – and let the insurance companies start charging outrageous rates again. And if they can’t get it done, they are going to close the doors of our government. “Press 1 to be connected with Congressman Southerland and tell him to stop the nonsense and focus on common sense solutions that protect our health care and grow our economy.”
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