Amendment Would Strike Crippling Blow to Unconstitutional Law;

Vital Part of GOP Strategy to Fulfill “Pledge to America”

Washington, D.C.– Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference, introduced an amendment to the Continuing Resolution today that would prohibit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from using any of its funds to implement the health care reform law which passed last year.

Rep. McMorris Rodgers’ amendment is one of two amendments that House Republicans are uniting behind to fulfill the “Pledge to America” to “repeal and replace” the government takeover of heath care.  The other amendment by Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT) would prohibit the Departments of Labor and HHS from using their funds to implement the health care law. 

“As Judge Vinson recently ruled, the health care reform law is clearly unconstitutional, and the IRS – just like every government agency – has a duty to uphold the Constitution,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers.  “Our amendment will restore constitutional rights, save $10 billion, and follow the will of the American people who clearly do not want this law.”

The Congressional Budget Office predicts the IRS will need roughly $10 billion over the next 10 years and nearly 17,000 new employees to meet its responsibilities under the health care law. 

“By passing this amendment, we will move away from an IRS-driven health care system and back towards a patient-centered system,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers.

The U.S. House is scheduled to vote on final passage of the Continuing Resolution on Thursday.  The “CR” would fund the federal government from Mar. 4 through Sep. 30, 2011. 

On Feb. 3, 2011, Rep. McMorris Rodgers introduced H.R. 434 which would prevent the IRS from using any funds – now or in the future – to hire new employees to enforce the individual mandate.  Twenty-seven states are challenging the constitutionality of the mandate in court.