Fast-track bill will include ObamaCare repeal

House lawmakers will include repealing parts of ObamaCare in the fast-track process known as reconciliation, in addition to defunding Planned Parenthood, according to two lawmakers.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) announced late Friday that he would begin a markup of a reconciliation bill on Tuesday.

Reps. John Fleming (R-La.) and Phil Roe (R-Tenn.) said that leaders announced in a conference meeting Friday morning that repealing parts of ObamaCare would join defunding Planned Parenthood in the fast-track bill. 

Fleming said he did not know which parts of the law would be included, saying it depends on Senate rules requiring that the process only deal with matters affecting spending and revenue, as well as reducing the deficit.  

“I don’t know, that hasn’t been discussed,” Fleming said, when asked what parts of the law would be included. “Whatever we can apply to reconciliation; that has to do with parliamentary rules.”

Ryan’s announcement did not specify what the committee might include in the reconciliation bill.

President Obama would still be able to veto the repeal and the defunding measures, but they would at least get to his desk using this process, which would bypass a Senate Democratic filibuster because the process allows measures to advance with just 51 votes instead of the usual 60. 

Repealing ObamaCare through the process has long been a goal of conservatives and was used as a way to build support for the budget earlier this year. 

Defunding Planned Parenthood was added to the mix as a way to deal with the organization without risking a government shutdown. 

The reconciliation process coincides with a “clean” government funding bill that includes funding for Planned Parenthood and is expected to pass with the help of Democratic votes, given the opposition of some conservative Republicans.

– This story was updated at 5:46 p.m.