The Problem With Obamacare

The Problem With OBAMACARE For the first time in a hundred years, one party forced through a bill with national implications without any agreement from the opposing party. Here's an overview of some other major legislation that has been passed since 1913, how much partisan support it received from Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate, and the partisan gap in support: 2010 Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act 87% 0% 87% 100% 0% 100% Established a legal personal mandate that requires most U.S. Citizens and legal residents to have health insurance; extends coverage to uninsured HOUSE PARTISAN GAP SENATE PARTISAN GAP 1913 Federal Reserve Act Established the Federal 99% 41% 58% 100% 14% 86% Reserve System and granted the Fed the authority to create money 1913 Revenue Act Imposed the federal income tax, which only applied to 1% of the population at the time 98% 5% 93% 94% 12% 83% 1919 National Prohibition Act Enforced the national ban 75% 76% 1% 71% 81% 10% on the sale, production and transportation of alcohol 1930 Tariff Act Smoot Hawley tariffs, which raised taxes on 13% 95% 82% 21% 90% 69% more than 20,000 imported goods 1934 Securities Exchange Act Governed secondary trading of securities and established the SEC 95%* 31%* 63% 96%* 58%* 38% 1935 Voice Vote, National Labor no prior roll call Relations Act 92%* 62%* 31% Guaranteed rights of private sector employees to organize into unions, engage in collective bargaining and take collective action (strikes). 1935 Social Security Act Established a the first version of the social 96%* 81%* 15% 98%* 75%* 23% security safety net -- benefits for the elderly, the poor, disabled, etc. 1956 Federal Aid Highway Act Authorized construction 93% 98% 5% 98% 100% 2% of the Interstate Highway System 1964 Civil Rights Act Prohibited discrimination on basis of race, color, 61% 80% 19% 69% 82% 13% religion, sex or nat'l origin 1965 Social Security Amendments 86% 47% 38% 89% 48% 41% Established Medicare and Medicaid, which provide health insurance for the poor and the elderly 1965 Voting Rights Act Outlawed discriminatory voting practices (literacy tests, poll taxes, etc.) 78%* 82%* 4% 73% 94% 20% 1969 Voice Vote, National Environmental no prior roll call Policy Act 96%* 96% * 0% Created a framework for protection of the environment and led to the creation of the EPA 1972 Equal Employment Opportunity Act Provided safe gaurds for 77%* 68%* 9% 84% 88% 4% minorities and women in search of employment 1981 Economic Recovery Tax Act 55% 99% 44% 78% 98% 19% Beginning of Reagan tax reform and tax rate reductions 1983 Social Security Ammendments 75% 63% 13% 81% 80% 1% Revised social security tax rates and introduced a gradual increase in the age for benefit-eligibility 1985 Balanced Budget & Emergency Deficit Control Act Automatic spending cuts take effect if President 48% 86% 39% 50% 81% 31% and Congress fail to reach deficit targets 1986 Tax Reform Act Simplified the income tax code, broadened the tax base and eliminated many 70% 65% 5% 73% 79% 6% tax shelters and other preferences. 1996 Personal Responsibility & Work Opportunity 50% 99% 49% 54% 100% 46% Reconciliation Act Welfare reform plan that instituted strong work requirements in exchange for time-limited assistance 2001 Economic Growth & Tax Relief Reconciliation Act 15% 100% 85% 28% 96% 68% Bush-era income and capital gains tax cuts, increased estate tax relief * Indicates vote before conference agreement and passage by voice vote. By Lisa Mahapatra INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES Source: JP Morgan, from Michael Cembalest the September 18, 2013 "Eye on the Market"