◼ Will Democrats follow suit and practice what they preach?: Senate GOP requires staffers to use ObamaCare — and challenges Democrats to do the same - Ed Morrissey/HotAir
The incoming Republican majority in the Senate passed a new rule that requires them to live by the law that Democrats championed — and pointed out that Democrats have yet to do so. Until now, a loophole in federal law allowed both caucuses to designate their staffs as “unofficial,” meaning that they were not required to get their health insurance through ObamaCare. ◼ The Hill reports that Republicans have thrown down the gauntlet to their Democratic counterparts ◼ (via Instapundit):◼ Senate GOP forces all staff to use ObamaCare - dares reluctant Democrats to do the same - Robert Laurie/Herman Cain
A loophole used in both chambers allows lawmakers to designate staff as “unofficial” or “official staff,” which permits them to keep their insurance coverage under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.
“Republican senators made a strong, principled statement today in passing my resolution,” Vitter said in a statement.
“Washington should have to live under ObamaCare just like everybody else until we repeal it. And we won’t be complicit in Obama’s illegal rule designed to protect Washington insiders.”
If you listen to the increasingly few Democrats who will still stand up for ObamaCare, you'll hear the same old talking points: It's lowering costs! It's providing quality coverage for millions! It's working! People love it, but they don't know that they love it!
What you won't hear them talk about is the fact that some of their staffers were exempted from it, and were allowed to keep their policies via the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.
