U.S. House passes gov't spending bill defunding ObamaCare House of Representatives approved a spending bill that strips out funding for Obama's healthcare law. This set the stage for a showdown with Senate Democrats that may push the government to a shutdown. The short-term measure would fund the government through Dec. 15 at current funding levels. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives on Friday approved a stopgap spending bill that strips out funding for President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law, setting the stage for a showdown with Senate Democrats that may push the government to a shutdown. The legislation was approved on a party line vote of 230-189. The short-term measure, referred to as the continuing resolution, would fund the government through Dec. 15 at current funding levels while prohibiting funding to implement the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly called Obamacare. The bill will now move to the Democratic-controlled Senate, where the Democrats would for certain restore the Obamacare funding before sending it back to the House for passage by Sept. 30 in order to prevent government shutdowns the following day. The White House has also warned that Obama would veto any GOP proposal that eliminates funding for the healthcare law. If Congress can't pass a funding bill by Oct. 1 for the new fiscal year, the government will face a shutdown. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said, "We've said from the beginning that this law (Obamacare) will harm economy, and we're seeing our economy turn from a full-time job economy into a part- time job economy." "That's why we are doing our job, and now it is up to Senate Democrats to show some responsibility and follow the House's lead, " he said after the voting. House Speaker John Boehner said, "Our message to the United States Senate is simple: the American people don't want the government shutdown, and they don't want Obamacare." House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi criticized the bill as a clear attempt by the Republicans to cause a government shutdown. "What is brought to the floor today is without a doubt ... a measure designed to shut down government," she said. It could have no other intent. It's purpose is clear. Obamacare funding impacts budget U.S. treasury chief blames Congress for disturbing recovery 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said Tuesday that U.S. Congress is creating uncertainty for the economic recovery by failing to raise the federal government's debt ceiling. He urged lawmakers to raise the government's borrowing authority in a timely manner. News Analysis: GOP may delay Obamacare in a play to conservative base WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Republicans know they will never reverse President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, but their leaders may opt to delay the law's implementation in a bid to shore up their conservative base before the 2014 mid-term Congressional elections, experts said. While budget talks, the debt ceiling, and tax reform top Congress's agenda for fall, what is grabbing media attention most is the looming fight over Obama's health care overhaul, with some lawmakers of the Republican Party (GOP) calling to pull the plug on funding for the president's landmark legislation.