Washington (CNN) - Every Republican in the Senate now appears ready to revoke President Obama's signature health care law. This comes as a federal judge, in Florida, strikes down key parts of the law as unconstitutional.
The GOP holds 47 seats in the Senate.
According to Sen. Jim DeMint's office, 45 of them will co-sponsor the South Carolina Republican's legislation – introduced last week - to fully repeal the health law. Republicans are "standing with the American people who are demanding we repeal this government takeover of health care," DeMint said at the time.
DeMint's office told CNN it did not yet have confirmation that Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran would sign on. But CNN contacted Cochran's office and confirmed that he would.
Chris Gallegos, a spokesman for Cochran, explained that the senator's legislative staff conducts a bill review first – before asking the senator whether or not to co-sponsor a bill.
"That process is going on in our office right now," Gallegos said. "We expect the senator to co-sponsor the DeMint bill."
Based on these numbers, that would mean that all of the Republican senators are now on board with the plan to repeal the health care law.
The intentions of some newly-elected GOP senators, who enjoy Tea Party support, are of little surprise. Marco Rubio of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Rand Paul of Kentucky have all denounced the health care law.
Some names that may stand out to some are moderate Republicans Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both of Maine, and Scott Brown of Massachusetts. However, all three voted against the law's passage.
President Obama recently defended the law after the House voted to repeal it in January.
"I'm not willing to refight the battles of the last two years," the president said at a Families USA's Health Action Conference in Washington, on Friday. But the president has acknowledged he is open to ideas on how to improve the law.
Jon Summers, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, harshly denounced Republican efforts.
"What they are touting is their plan to raise taxes on small business, charge seniors more for prescription drugs, and increase the deficit," Summers said.
"We are happy to work with Republicans to improve the law, but we will not be part of their effort to stick it to consumers," he added.
Many Republicans acknowledge that their efforts to repeal the health care law could likely fail. They do not have enough votes to overcome a likely wall of Democratic opposition in the Senate. And, in the unlikely impossibility a GOP repeal bill passed the Senate, President Obama has the power to veto it.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Why are they wasting taxpayer time? A growing majority of the people are seeing the benefits of the Affordable Care Act. Republicans are so out of touch.
Another political stunt by the Republicans. When will they put the peoples interest ahead of their political aspirations. What a joke they have made of representing the people of this country.
The Republicans love to yammer on about "the will of the people," and yet in 2008 when the American people overwhelmingly voted for not only President Obama, but put majorities of Democrats in the House and Senate – IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF THE PLEDGE TO ENACT REAL HEALTH CARE REFORM – the Republicans actively thwarted the will of the people by blocking anything and everything that President Obama and the Democrats tried to do for the American people.
The Republicans represent their corporate donors and other wealthy lackeys. This health care reform provides real benefits to average Americans who can now keep their kids on their policies until they are 26 (no small potatoes in this economy); who will not be dropped from their health insurance policies or denied treatment when they get sick; and who will not be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition or if they should have a special-needs child.
The Republicans are despicable – and only a fool believes they give a rat's behind about anyone except themselves and their fat-cat donors!
well, the mandate is illegal.
My name says it all. Demint wants to repeal the entire bill. Even the parts majority of people love. So what does he plan to replace the bill with? Nothing! If the bill is repealed, who will pay back the money that has already been sent out? They don't have an answer for that question.
Are all these Reps ready to give up their healthcare that our taxes are paying for. Not likely!!! I think recent polls do not show that a big majority of voters want the bill repealed. Now that people are learning more details I believe the numbers are fairly close.
as a long time republican voter i am appalled with the gop support of corporate extortion
It appears only the Republicans care about the keeping their sworn oath of office to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States. Any legislator that abrogates that oath MUST BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE. If they cannot be recalled then they MUST be voted out of office as they cannot be trusted with the powers they have been granted by the people of the country. The same goes for the socialist in the Whitehouse.
that's great, it still won't go past the senate...and if (GoD forbid) it did get past the Senate, It won't get past The President.
This is a purely symbolic act with no real effect.
What about the economy?
What about JOBS?!?
What about getting the un-employed back to work?
What are Senate Republicans doing to help the guy who is struggling
REPEALING HEALTHCARE REFORM DOES NOT HELP THE GUY WHO IS STRUGGLING
Do you even care?
What's REALLY going on?
the gop constantly lies to american people to support corporate profits and uses fear and intimidation scare seniors
And yet, Fox Lite, acts as though this fact was newsworthy?
Most folks knew this already, knowing that the stated GOP agenda is for "America to fail"!
they were also eager to do the same with the civil rights bill back in 1965.
the only way to fix our political process is to get the biig money out of it
Where are the jobs? Instead of fighting yesterday battle lets make the legislation better. Show the American people how much is cost based on CBO numbers.
Oh really? Wow. They all voted against it the first time, why would this be an item of news?
The Democrats better look hard at this and not sign off on it just to help two races the Africans Americans and the Illegals. They don't even pay for health care now. You Democrats jobs are on a pedestal now, so think hard before you cast your vote. Obama is ghoing down in 2012 along with a whole bunch of you. Do you want to be in that bunch.
Heckuva job, Barry! Two years worth of his 4 year administration has just been struck down by the courts. So let's see now....two plus years in office and what has he accomplished?.....oh wait, I know........nothing at all. Failure.
Those who refuse to purchase health care insurance should be banned/turned away from emergency rooms when they show uo ill. I personally don't want to help pay for the care they get.
Sooooo the Republicans are spending money to repeal the bill ...,which has already passed into law,....on.....principle? And they are fully aware this will waste time and money and that these efforts will most likely fail...and ...they believe this is what the American people want??? ....ummmm okaaaaay... hmmm And who voted these nuts in again???
$top wa$ting my money, Republican$. Back legi$lation that ha$ a chance in hell of pa$$ing. Do your job$.
We need a vote in the Senate as it will be instructive in 2012 election as to which Democrats vote against the repeal. There are a bunch of Democratic Senators in Red States up for re-election in 2012 and voters want to know where they stand.
Of course, what did you expect? Republicans are always willing to cut taxes for the wealthy at the expense of the middle class, cut benefits for the middle class in order to help insurance and pharmaceutical companies, violate personal constitutional rights, while giving constitutional privileges to corporations, and – in case you don't recall their mantra – "outsourcing is GOOD for America." But the same fools in this country who are hurt the most by their policies continue to vote for them as long as they wave the flag and thump the Bible!
These Republicans have been ready to strike it down all along. They represent the rich and the corporations...they certainly don't represent me or average Americans.
Health reform has not been struck down by courts. Once again for those who do not read, 14 chose not to hear it, 2 voted in favor and 2 voted against. As for republicans in the senate, I hope Harry does not give the chance to exercise their stupidity.
Just keep at it Republicans....2012 is going to leave you bruised and bleeding. Most Americans are sick and tired of your pandering to big business and their lobbyist. The Health care reform is helping middle class Americans and we will be *&%^ if you are going to take us backward.