Washington, D.C.  –  Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN) released the following statement on H.R. 2667 and H.R. 2668, bills to delay both the employer and individual mandates by one year from January 1, 2014, to January 1, 2015:

“I am pleased to see the House passed two bills today that will further protect the American people from the harm being done by Obamacare. This will make certain there is no favoritism of businesses over individuals, both of whom are facing harmful outcomes because of the law.

“While it’s good to see that the president is finally starting to acknowledge that the healthcare law isn’t working out as he envisioned, without today’s legislation the president’s action to delay the employer mandate would not be in line with the Constitution’s requirement that the president ‘take care that the laws be faithfully executed.’ I hope President Obama reconsiders his veto threat, particularly in light of the questions surrounding his authority to implement a delay.

“Simply put, this law is unworkable. I was extremely disappointed to see the administration give protection to businesses by delaying the employer mandate while still requiring individuals to purchase health insurance. If the president believes employers deserve protection and flexibility from his health law, why doesn’t he share the same concern for all Americans? It is clear this administration is still putting politics over the needs of the American people.

“This delay is a step in the right direction towards protecting the American people from an economic catastrophe, but we can’t stop here. Obamacare is bad medicine for America, and the only cure is a full repeal.”

Rep. Roe also spoke on the House floor in support of the bills. Video of his statement can be found here.