Rokita: Harry Reid, Members of Congress Not Above the Law

Press Release

Representative Todd Rokita released the following statement in response to reports that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, an architect and avowed proponent of ObamaCare, has exempted his employees from having to purchase health insurance through ObamaCare exchanges.

"Senator Harry Reid's decision to exempt his staff from ObamaCare--a law that he helped write and shut down the government to protect--is the height of hypocrisy. It is unconscionable that any Member of Congress would place themselves or their staff members above the laws they made, or the American people they have sworn to serve. From debt to failed economic policies to a disastrous health care takeover, out-of-touch, elitist Washington politicians like Harry Reid are at the root of the problems our nation faces.

"I have placed all of my staff on ObamaCare exchanges because Congress must live with the laws it passes and face the same negative consequences faced by the American people. I encourage all of my colleagues who have not done the same to reconsider," Rokita said.

During the passage of ObamaCare, also known as the Affordable Care Act, an amendment was offered in the Senate to require that members of Congress and their staffs purchase insurance through the exchanges. Due to what many consider poorly written legislative language and administrative interpretation, members of Congress could specify the eligibility for their employees for the insurance plans other federal government employees receive. Representative Rokita has not applied this exemption to his staff and any of his employees that are utilizing insurance offered through their employment will enroll through the ObamaCare exchanges.

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