Cruz on O-Care repeal: ‘We’ll do it in 2017’

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said Sunday that Republicans will repeal the controversial healthcare law after President Obama leaves office in 2017.

Cruz became the face of an unsuccessful effort to eliminate the healthcare law last year, which resulted in a government shutdown.

Most Republicans backed off the repeal-or-shutdown position after sustaining political damage during the two-week standoff in October, but Cruz promised on Sunday during an appearance on ABC News’s “This Week” to continue trying to get rid of ObamaCare during the remainder of the president’s term.

{mosads}“I’ll give you one scenario where it could [be repealed before Obama leaves office],” Cruz said. “If there’s one thing that unifies politicians in both parties is that their top priority is preserving their own hide. If enough congressional Democrats realize they either stand with ObamaCare and lose, or they listen to the American people and have a chance at staying in office, that’s the one scenario we could do it in 2015. If not, we’ll do it in 2017.”

Cruz reiterated his case against the healthcare law, arguing that it was “the most unpopular law in the country.

“Millions of people have lost their jobs, have lost their healthcare, been forced into part-time work, and right now, Washington isn’t listening to those people,” Cruz said. “That’s how we win elections, and that’s also how we repeal ObamaCare law.”