American Morning
Rep. Ron Paul: 'We can't blame China for us spending too much money'
As the House of Representatives prepare to vote on health care reform repeal today, President Obama has released a statement signaling that he is willing to make improvements on the bill but is not in favor of a full repeal:
"So I’m willing and eager to work with both Democrats and Republicans to improve the Affordable Care Act. But we can’t go backward."
But congressmen on Capitol Hill like Representative Ron Paul, R, Texas, believe that repeal is the only option. He tells Kiran Chetry that the bill going to vote today "tells us what we should do in the future."
Representative Paul is also unhappy with the way we are treating our relationship with China. He says that more government intervention in China is not the answer and "we can't blame China for us spending too much money."
Watch his complete interview below:
Next on the House Floor: 'Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law'
The House of Representatives begins debate this morning on H.R. 2 or as its named, "Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act." Co-sponsored by Representative Steve King, R, Iowa and Representative Michele Bachmann, R, Minnesota, the bill hopes to repeal President Obama's health care reform legislation of last year. But with President Obama still in office and sure to veto any legislation the bill seems largely a symbolic effort.
Even amongst the public, a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll out this morning shows that Obama's approval rating is up five points since last month and support for repealing isn't overwhelming.
Before the debate begins, Rep. Steve King joins T.J. Holmes on American Morning defending the bill and saying the effort is all in hopes of electing a new president in 2012.
Rep. Cantor: Health care will "bankrupt the government"
Representative Eric Cantor, Republican of Virginia, took his new position yesterday as the majority leader in House of Representatives and he hasn't taken any time to make his party's position on President Obama's health care reform clear. Cantor tells Kiran Chetry that unless something is done the health care bill could potentially bankrupt the federal and state governments.
Freshman Reps. Womack and Cicilline on the change they'll bring to DC
We're taking a look this week at some of the newest members entering congress this year. Yesterday we talked to Representatives Karen Bass, D, California, and Paul Gosar, R, Arizona, about what they thought were the most pressing needs for the 112th congress.
Today we talk to Representative Steve Womack, R, Arkansas, who not only won his seat by the second largest margin in his state but was also the only Republican in Arkansas who had not been backed by the Tea Party. As well as talking to Representative David Cicilline, D, who will replace Rep. Patrick Kennedy as the representative from Rhode Island.
Representatives Womack and Cicilline explain to T.J. Holmes what message they are bringing to Capitol Hill and Washington DC from their constituents outside the beltway bubble.
What to expect from the 112th Congress
Today marks the first day of the 112th Congress, and with it, a new Republican majority in the House of Representatives. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor is promising that House Republicans will run "a cut-and-grow majority" in the upcoming year, planning to reduce the amount of federal spending while simultaneously growing the economy.
Number one on the House Republicans' agenda is a vote on repealing President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul. Some Republicans say they were elected to repeal the legislation. But a recent CNN/Opinion Research Poll finds that only 37 percent oppose the bill for being too liberal, and that any possible legislation passed would meet a veto from President Obama. Does that mean Republicans' efforts are a waste of time?
Kiki McLean, a Democratic strategist, and Ed Rollins, a Republican strategist, talk to American Morning about the Republican roadmap for healthcare repeal and the other upcoming legislative battles facing the new Congress.
Rep. to forfeit benefits, sleep in office to protest healthcare reform
Republicans in the House could hold their first vote on the repeal of the President’s healthcare reforms by the end of this week. It probably won’t get too far, but there’s one freshman Representative who’s determined to stand up against those reforms.
His name is Joe Walsh, a Tea Party-backed Republican from Illinois who beat out Democrat Rep. Melissa Bean. Walsh plans to repeal the healthcare reform law and refuse his own health benefits in protest.
Today on American Morning, Jim Acosta talks to Walsh about why he’s going to the extreme of giving up his own benefits and how it would affect his wife, who has a pre-existing condition.
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