Cantor plans ‘strategic votes’ to chip away at ObamaCare

{mosads}Both sides of the ObamaCare debate have stepped up their game ahead of Oct. 1, when the law’s new insurance marketplaces are scheduled to open.

“As the October 1st implementation approaches, we will continue to pursue the strategy of systematically derailing this train wreck and replacing it with a patient-centered system which removes Washington from health care decisions,” Cantor wrote.

Some conservative activists have criticized House leaders for their targeted approach and primarily symbolic votes, and are pressing leadership to sign on to the threat of a government shutdown as a tool to defund ObamaCare.

Cantor’s memo makes no mention of that strategy, either in its ObamaCare section or its outline for dealing with appropriations bills and the debt limit.

Cantor has previously described the shutdown strategy as unrealistic, in light of the fact that Democrats control the Senate. 

House leaders have signaled that they intend to use must-pass bills to force new spending cuts, while attacking ObamaCare on a separate track.