House leaders consider tying ObamaCare delay to debt-limit increase

House Republican leaders are considering demanding a delay to the president’s healthcare reform law as a condition for raising the debt limit.

A GOP leadership aide confirmed to The Hill that an ObamaCare delay is one of the ideas being kicked around by House Republicans as they prepare to haggle over the nation’s borrowing cap this fall.

“There are a lot of ideas out there, that is one being discussed,” the aide said.

{mosads}Several leading Senate Republicans are pushing the party to reject any government funding bill that includes money for ObamaCare. Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) is pushing the idea in the House and has gathered the signatures of 79 GOP lawmakers endorsing that approach.

Congress must approve a spending measure by Oct. 1 to prevent a government shutdown. Lawmakers also must approve an increase to the debt limit sometime later this fall to ensure the government can meet all its obligations.

But some Republicans have been wary of taking that approach, fearful that trying to force a government shutdown over the issue could end up being a political loser for them, not to mention a strategy that would likely be met with fierce opposition from Democrats and the White House.

With lawmakers scattered nationwide for the August recess, it would appear difficult for House Republicans to coalesce around a strategy until members return in September.

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) had previously indicated that he would again reiterate that any agreement to raise the nation’s $16.7 trillion must also include spending cuts of an equal amount.

Reuters first reported that tying ObamaCare to the debt limit was being considered.