Calls to Delay Obamacare Mandate Divide Democrats

Calls to Delay Obamacare Mandate Divide Democrats

Plenty of Republicans have piled on disapproval about the problems with the health insurance exchange website, but now many of President Obama’s own allies are joining the chorus of criticism with some Democrats even calling on the president to delay the law.

In a speech on the House floor Wednesday, Rep. John Barrow, a Blue Dog Democrat from Georgia, called on the president to delay implementation of the law’s individual mandate, which is set to be enforced Jan. 1.

“This isn’t about pointing fingers. This is about providing some relief to the folks we represent who are facing serious uncertainty because they’re being forced to buy something that’s not ready,” Barrow said. “I urge my colleagues and the administration to delay the individual mandate. It’s not only the right thing to do, it’s the only practical thing to do.”