Fleming: Defund Or Delay Obamacare, Backs Neil Riser In 5th District Race
The nation is about a month and a half away from hitting its debt ceiling, which means when Congress returns to Washington September 9th, it will be a one month sprint to raise the debt ceiling.
This challenge will present an opportunity to many politicians looking to push an agenda through a compromise and deals.
Minden Congressman John Fleming will be among many members in the House looking to do something about Obamacare in exchange for raising the debt ceiling.
"I do support de-funding Obamacare as a condition of continuing the funding of the government over the next year," Fleming explained to KEEL News.
But he is flexible.
"Another opportunity, a plan B if you will, would be to make as a condition to raising the debt ceiling is delaying the implementation of Obamacare."
He argues that by delaying the implementation of the Affordable Healthcare Act, it will give Obamacare more time to die out on its own.
Fleming also notes that the Obama administration has been delaying bits and pieces of the legislation already, so it shouldn't be a difficult maneuver to have the entire law delayed a year.
What about balancing the budget?
The debt ceiling negotiations are necessary because the federal government continues to borrow money. Will this round of negotiations change that?
"We're never going to balance the budget until we address and reform the entitlement programs which are swallowing up the entire budget," stated Fleming.
He cited the abuse of programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and even the extensive use of "Obama phones" as being a strain on the federal budget.
"If we are going to protect and save these programs and make sure the elderly and the vulnerable and the handicapped are taken care of, we've got to protect these programs," Fleming cautioned. "So we have to tighten up qualifications. We have to make sure there isn't fraud, waste, and abuse."
Fleming on the 5th District Congressional Race
Dr. Fleming told KEEL News that he supports Neil Riser for the special election in northeast and central parts of Louisiana.
What about the alleged under-the-table dealing for the position?
"There's been rumors for months that Congressman Alexander was not going to run for reelection and certainly Neil Riser knew that," Dr. Fleming explained to KEEL News. "So I think he'd been making preparations to run in the next general election."
Fleming said the immediate resignation was a surprise to everyone, but in terms of knowing about any deal, "I'm totally out of the loop on that one."