California Republican Reps. Wally Herger and Dan Lungren are proposing legislation that would undo various aspects of the new health reform law, the Sacramento Bee reports. Both lawmakers are concerned about the law's effect on small businesses.
Herger's Proposal
Herger's bill would repeal the entire reform law. He intends to circulate a discharge petition that would force a vote on his proposal, despite objections from Democratic leaders.
Herger would need 218 signatures to move his bill to the House floor.
California Republican Senate nominee Carly Fiorina also has called for an entire repeal of the federal health care overhaul.
Lungren's Bill
Lungren favors a more incremental approach to scaling back the reform law.
His bill would repeal a provision that requires any business that purchases more than $600 worth of goods or services from another business to submit a 1099 tax form to the IRS. He said the requirement would hurt small businesses because it would encourage companies to do more business with large chains to minimize the number of 1099 forms they must submit.
Currently, there are no plans to hold a hearing on the bill, Lungren said.
Democrats Respond
Democrats in Congress have said the GOP is wasting time by introducing efforts to repeal the reform law.
Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) said that even if Republicans moved their bills through Congress, President Obama almost certainly would veto the proposals.
He said Republicans instead should focus on initiatives "that would bring more return to their constituents" (Hotakainen, Sacramento Bee, 7/11).