It's Time For Congress to Get Back to Work

The mainstream media, as evidenced by this LA Times article, is trying to force the GOP to cancel their plans to repeal Obamacare by asserting that a new emphasis on civility would require such a move.

As lawmakers promise a new era of comity after the Arizona shooting attack that left six dead and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) in critical condition, Republican leaders grappled with how and when to return to an issue that brought political discourse to a boiling point.

A House vote to repeal the healthcare law, put on hold after Saturday's shooting of 19 people in Tucson, presents Republicans with an unexpected challenge.

If they move too quickly, GOP leaders risk appearing tone deaf to pleas to reject overheated rhetoric — the leading of example of which is the healthcare debate last year.

But if they delay the vote much longer, they could infuriate their most conservative supporters and "tea party" activists.

GOP leaders have avoided discussing the timing of any votes, although the House is expected to resume some of its business next week. Meanwhile, they've taken a softer tone and emphasized calls for unity.

"Regardless of what legislation is considered next week, we hope all members remain focused on substantive policy differences," said Laena Fallon, a spokeswoman for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.). Fallon added that Cantor believed that "this institution has an obligation to move forward doing the business of the people at the appropriate time."

The GOP was right to hold off a bit until the initial reaction to the shooting had run its course, but now that it's clear that the shooting was not motivated by partisan politics and had nothing to do with Obamacare, there's no reason to further delay the work of Congress. Schedule the vote and let's move on.  The GOP will get blasted for this vote no matter what so the faster we get it over with the better.

And given that half of the states are currently suing to stop Obamacare, there's plenty of support out there for a repeal.