Posted November 08, 2024
By Matt Insley
The Path to Obamacare Repeal
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris delivered contrasting speeches following the 2024 presidential election results.
Trump's victory speech, while celebrating his win in key battleground states, focused primarily on his plans to “fix our borders” and improve the standard of living for Americans…
- We're the party of common sense. We want to have borders. We want to have security. [We] want great education. We want a strong and powerful military. And ideally, we don't have to use it.
Unlike Trump's focus on economic and immigration policies, Harris’ speech emphasized just two social issues that were central to her campaign: abortion rights and gun control.
Like her concession speech, by making social issues the centerpiece of her campaign, Harris alienated voters who were more concerned about inflation, jobs — again, the economy — and border security.
To come, one more highlight from Trump’s victory speech…
Your Rundown for Friday, November 8, 2024...
“I Will Govern by a Simple Motto”
“I will govern by a simple motto: promises made, promises kept,” Trump claims. “We're going to keep our promises. Nothing will stop me from keeping my word to you, the people.”
So says every president, right?
But Trump might actually have a chance to fulfill his pledge. Hear me out…
Republicans now have control of the U.S. Senate.
As for the House, the final tally and determination of House control may not be known until next week when Congress is back in session.
But Republicans have won 212 seats so far, while Democrats have secured 199 seats.
To have a majority, Republicans need to win just six of the remaining 24 uncalled races in states including California, Ohio, Arizona and Maine.
As the BBC notes: “Under Trump, a unified Republican Party could more easily push through tax cuts and introduce border control measures.”
On an even larger scale, if Republicans control two branches of the federal government…
Plus, the Supreme Court, which Trump stacked during his first term as president…
Trump's administration could potentially repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), aka Obamacare, in four steps:
- Draft legislation: Republicans in Congress could write a bill to repeal the ACA.
- Pass the bill: With a majority in both houses, Republicans could pass the repeal bill.
- Presidential signature: Trump would sign the bill into law.
- Supreme Court support: If challenged, the conservative-leaning Supreme Court would likely uphold the repeal.
Repealing the ACA was a central promise of Trump's first presidential campaign and a major focus early in his presidency, even though his stance has evolved.
More recently, Trump has moderated his position, claiming he's “not running to terminate” the ACA but rather to improve it.
Here’s my question to you, reader: What are your thoughts on Trump’s shift from full repeal to “reform” of the ACA?
And what alternatives to the ACA would you like to see proposed, if any?
Market Rundown for Friday, Nov. 8, 2024
S&P 500 futures are slightly in the red, still over 6,000 now.
Oil is down 1.65% to $71.15 for a barrel of WTI.
Gold is down 0.10% to $2,702.20 per ounce.
And Bitcoin is down 0.85% to $75,970.