The Republican-led Congress sent legislation to President Barack Obama on Wednesday repealing his signature health law, fulfilling a promise to Republican voters in a presidential election year but inviting a certain veto.
The nearly party-line vote in the House was 240-181. The legislation already passed the Senate last year under special rules protecting it from Democratic obstruction, so it goes straight to the White House, where Obama is expected to veto it.
Republicans boasted of a signal achievement, saying they were forcing Obama to face up to the failures of his law while illustrating the stark political choices voters face.
"We are confronting the president with the hard, honest truth," said Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. "Obamacare doesn't work."
Democrats called it pointless political theatre that will have the same ultimate outcome as the 61 previous repeal votes that were blocked in the Senate, since Obama will veto the legislation.
"A bill that is going to the White House, that will get the fastest veto we've ever seen happen in this country, is a monumental vote?" said Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern. "This is just a waste of everyone's time."
Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton has decried the repeal legislation while leading Republican candidates applauded it. Ryan and other Republican leaders acknowledged it will take a Republican president to get rid of the law. But they said that is the point.
"It is our opportunity as Republicans to lay out the choice for the American people," said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers.
More than 16 million Americans have gained health coverage since the law was enacted, according to government figures. They could risk losing it under the GOP approach. Republicans argue the health law has driven up costs and hurt consumers, and they promise "patient-centred" solutions in its place
This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.