Boehner fires back at Dem senators with vow to push forward with repeal

By Michael O'Brien - 01/04/11 02:27 PM ET

Incoming House Speaker John Boehner's office (R-Ohio) pointedly vowed on Tuesday to push ahead with legislation repealing healthcare reform. 

Boehner's office responded to a letter sent by the Senate's top five Democrats, vowing to block a House bill repealing healthcare reform, with a terse, 65-word note.

Boehner's office wrote:

Senators Reid, Durbin, Schumer, Murray and Stabenow:

Thank you for reminding us – and the American people – of the backroom deal that you struck behind closed doors with 'Big Pharma,' resulting in bigger profits for the drug companies, and higher prescription drug costs for 33 million seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D, at a cost to the taxpayers of $42.6 billion. 

The House is going to pass legislation to repeal that now.  You're welcome. 

- Speaker-Designate John Boehner's Press Office

The note comes in response to a letter released on Monday by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) office, in which the Democrats promise to block a bill repealing benefits within the healthcare law. 

Boehner's response is a sign that the incoming GOP House has little interest in backing off their promise to repeal (or at least chip away) at the healthcare bill. 

It's also indicative of what could be a series of battles between the Republican-held House and the Democratic-controlled Senate over the next two years.