Tea Party group slams must-pass bill over 'ObamaCare' funds

The Tea Party Patriots denounced the must-pass continuing resolution because it includes funds for President Obama's signature healthcare law.

The group urged lawmakers not to vote for the six-month spending bill when it comes up in the House on Thursday. But the Tea Party's admonition might fall on deaf ears, since the CR is designed to avert a government shutdown ahead of the November elections.

Ignoring warnings and voting for the compromise bill would show that lawmakers, especially conservative ones, are not committed to repealing the healthcare law, the Tea Party group charged.

"This Thursday’s vote will reveal to Americans who is serious about repealing ObamaCare in full, and who cares more about reelection," said Jenny Beth Martin, national coordinator of Tea Party Patriots, in a statement Wednesday.

"For Congress, it’s always ‘next time' … If they won’t take a stand now, will they really do what they promise to do and repeal ObamaCare?"

Conservatives have expressed support for the six-month CR because they say it would allow a new Romney administration to cut spending not long after inauguration next year. Avoiding a government-shutdown fight before November is also attractive to both sides.

The six-month stopgap measure increases spending by an annualized rate of $8 billion, in line with the August 2011 debt deal. Other spending bills considered by the House would have defunded the healthcare law, but they were shelved in favor of the House-Senate compromise.

Many conservative House members have said they will vote yes on Thursday, including GOP vice-presidential nominee Rep. Paul Ryan (Wis.).

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