Ayotte Says Obama Administration 'Playing Games'

WASHINGTON,  D.C. – U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, took to the Senate floor Tuesday to praise a new plan proposed by Sen. Susan Collins, R-ME, that would reopen the government and repeal the nearly $30 billion Medical Device Tax – what she considers one of the most harmful provisions in the Affordable Care Act.   

During her remarks, Ayotte urged congressional leaders from both parties to take an immediate and serious look at the plan.

“It’s time to end the shutdown, and this common sense proposal includes provisions to fund the government for six months in line with the Budget Control Act that was signed into law two years ago, and it would repeal the costly Medical Device Tax that is harming New Hampshire’s medical device manufacturers,” Ayotte said of the proposal. 

“The plan also allows federal agencies needed flexibility to deal with the across-the-board cuts imposed by sequestration.  Congress should immediately take up this plan, which contains provisions previously supported by members on both sides of the aisle and which I believe can garner bipartisan support," she said. 

Earlier this year, Ayotte helped reintroduce the Medical Device Access and Innovation Protection Act (S. 232) to repeal the tax and she cosponsored similar legislation during the last Congress.