In brief: House Republicans set vote to repeal

Washington – House Republican leaders on Thursday set a vote in two weeks to repeal the nation’s health care law – a largely symbolic act that is not expected to go anywhere in the Democratic-led Senate. House Minority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said the vote will be July 11.

House Republicans already voted to get rid of the law in one of their first acts in taking the majority in 2011.

Romney: Decision call to arms for GOP

Washington – In brief remarks two hours after the Supreme Court upheld President Barack Obama’s health care reform law, Mitt Romney said Thursday that he disagreed with the court’s decision and used it as a call to arms for Republicans in November.

“This is a time of choice for the American people,” said a solemn Romney, who stood on the ninth-floor balcony of a Washington, D.C., office building. “Our mission is clear. If we want to get rid of Obamacare, we are going to have to replace President Obama. My mission is to make sure we do exactly that.”

Emanuel urged against health issue

Chicago – Barack Obama’s former chief of staff said he’s relieved that the president didn’t listen to his advice to avoid the health care issue.

Rahm Emanuel acknowledged on Thursday that he tried vigorously to steer Obama away from taking up the health care issue. He warned Obama of the potential political cost.

After the ruling Thursday, the now-Chicago mayor said: “Thank God for the rest of the country he didn’t listen to me.”